‘As I Open My Eyes’ wins the BNL People's Choice Award and Best European Film at Venice
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Abu Dhabi’s film fund, SANAD, today announced that Leyla Bouzid’s “As I Open My Eyes”, a recipient of the fund’s development and post-production grants, received the BNL People’s Choice Award at the 72nd Venice International Film Festival. The film was also named Best European Film and will receive the support of a European Union financial incentive for the Europa Cinemas network of cinemas to promote and include the film in their programming schedule.
Set in Tunis a few months before the Revolution, 'As I Open My Eyes', tells the story of Farah, an 18 year-old who has just graduated with her family already excepting her to become a doctor. Farah sees things differently - she sings in a political rock band, lives life with passion, discovers love, and explores the city by night, against her mother’s will, who knows Tunisia and its dangers too well.
Moreover, SANAD film, “Madame Courage”, by renowned Arab filmmaker, Merzak Allouache, was selected to participate in the Orrizonti Competition of Venice Film Festival and was well received by the audience, judges and media at the festival.