Happy Holidays (Arabic: ينعاد عليكو, romanized: Yin'Ād Aliku, lit. 'May God Bless You') is a 2024 Palestinian family drama film written and directed by Scandar Copti. It premiered at the 81st Venice International Film Festival on 4 September 2024, where it won the Orizzonti Award for Best Screenplay.[1]
| Happy Holidays | |
|---|---|
| Arabic | ينعاد عليكو |
| Directed by | Scandar Copti |
| Written by | Scandar Copti |
| Produced by |
|
| Starring |
|
| Cinematography | Tim Kuhn |
| Edited by | Scandar Copti |
| Music by | Pascal Lemercier |
Production companies |
|
Release date |
|
Running time | 123 minutes |
| Countries |
|
| Languages |
|
Cast
edit- Manar Shehab as Fifi
- Toufic Danial as Rami
- Shani Dahari as Shirley, Rami's girlfriend
- Meirav Memoresky as Miri, Shirley's sister
- Imad Hourani as Fouad, Fifi and Rami's father
- Wafaa Aoun as Hanan, Fifi and Rami's mother
- Sophie Awaada as Leila, Fifi and Rami's sister
- Raed Burbara as Walid, Fifi's lover
Production
editThe cast is comprised entirely of non-professional actors. Writer and director Scandar Copti stated, "They're real people that come from the professional background of the characters that they portray. For example, Miri (Meirav Memoresky) is a real nurse, and Walid (Raed Burbara) is a real doctor."[2]
In his acceptance speech for the Orizzonti Award for Best Screenplay, Copti stated, "I stand here deeply honored, yet profoundly affected by the difficult times we're living through over the past 11 months, our shared humanity and moral compass have been tested as we witness the ongoing genocide in Gaza. This painful reality reminds us of the devastating consequences of oppression, which is a theme in our film. Our film looks at how moral narratives can bring us together as communities, but also blind us to the suffering of others."[3]
Release
editIndie Sales acquired the distribution rights to the film in February 2024.[4] The film premiered at the 81st Venice International Film Festival on 4 September 2024 as part of the Orizzonti competition.[5]
Reception
editLovia Gyarkye of The Hollywood Reporter called the film "a cleverly structured Palestinian drama" that "explores constriction and complicity in Israeli society".[6]
Siddhant Adlakha of Variety called the film "a lively, naturalistic ensemble piece" and "a dynamic Palestinian family drama".[7]
Olivia Popp of Cineuropa wrote, "Palestinian filmmaker Scandar Copti makes effective use of an ensemble cast in this portrait of contemporary family life in Israel, replete with its many intricacies".[8]
Clotilde Chinnici of Loud and Clear Reviews gave the film three out of five stars and called it "a culturally necessary film that encourages us to question the status quo and be open to changing it".[9]
Mina Takla of AwardsWatch gave the film a grade of B, stating that it "does not disappoint". She further wrote, "Boasting one of the year's most thoughtful and potent screenplays full of timely themes and rich characterization, the film is certain to find further appreciation as it continues its festival run."[10]
Accolades
edit| Award | Date of ceremony | Category | Recipient(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Venice Film Festival | 7 September 2024 | Orizzonti Award for Best Film | Happy Holidays | Nominated | [11] |
| Orizzonti Award for Best Screenplay | Scandar Copti | Won | |||
| Thessaloniki International Film Festival | 10 November 2024 | Golden Alexander | Happy Holidays | Won | [12] |
References
edit- ^ Wiseman, Andreas; Tartaglione, Nancy (7 September 2024). "Venice Winners: Pedro Almodóvar's 'The Room Next Door' Wins The Golden Lion; Also Wins For Nicole Kidman, Brady Corbet, 'I'm Still Here' & More". Deadline. Archived from the original on 7 September 2024. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
- ^ Popp, Olivia (5 September 2024). "Scandar Copti • Director of Happy Holidays". Cineuropa. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
- ^ Goodfellow, Melanie; Tartaglione, Nancy (7 September 2024). "Israel-Gaza Conflict In Focus At Venice Awards Ceremony As Multiple Winners Voice Support For Palestinian People". Deadline. Archived from the original on 7 September 2024. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
- ^ Keslassy, Elsa (2 February 2024). "Oscar-Nominated Palestinian Filmmaker Scandar Copti's Israel-Set 'Happy Holidays' Lands on Indie Sales' Roster (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on 7 September 2024. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
- ^ Aricò, Giacomo (2 August 2024). "Festival di Venezia 2024, il programma con film e ospiti: chi sono le star di oggi?". Vogue Italia (in Italian). Archived from the original on 27 September 2024. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
- ^ Gyarkye, Lovia (7 September 2024). "'Happy Holidays' Review: A Cleverly Structured Palestinian Drama Explores Constriction and Complicity in Israeli Society". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 7 September 2024. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
- ^ Adlakha, Siddhant (7 September 2024). "'Happy Holidays' Review: A Dynamic Palestinian Family Drama Chronicles Arab and Jewish Lives in Israel". Variety. Archived from the original on 27 September 2024. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
- ^ Popp, Olivia (4 September 2024). "Review: Happy Holidays". Cineuropa. Archived from the original on 7 September 2024. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
- ^ Chinnici, Clotilde (4 September 2024). "Happy Holidays Review: A Much Needed Film". Loud and Clear Reviews. Archived from the original on 27 September 2024. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
- ^ Takla, Mina (16 September 2024). "'Happy Holidays' Review: Scandar Copti's Winning Screenplay Offers an Unflinching Look at the Impossibilities of Integration | TIFF". AwardsWatch. Archived from the original on 27 September 2024. Retrieved 19 September 2024.
- ^ Ford, Lily (7 September 2024). "Venice Film Festival Awards: Pedro Almodóvar Wins Golden Lion for 'The Room Next Door'". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 7 September 2024. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
- ^ Ntim, Zac (10 November 2024). "'Happy Holidays' By Palestinian Filmmaker Scandar Copti Takes Top Prize At Thessaloniki". Deadline. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
