Layla is a 2024 British romance film written and directed by Amrou Al-Kadhi in their feature directorial debut.
| Layla | |
|---|---|
 Cast and crew at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival | |
| Directed by | Amrou Al-Kadhi |
| Written by | Amrou Al-Kadhi |
| Produced by | Savannah James-Bayly |
| Cinematography | Craig Dean Devine |
| Edited by | Fiona Brands |
| Music by |
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Production companies | |
Release date |
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Running time | 99 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
Premise
editWhile navigating their identity around friends and family, Layla, a non-binary British-Palestinian drag queen living in London, falls in love with Max, an advertising executive.
Cast
edit- Bilal Hasna as Layla
- Louis Greatorex as Max
- Safiyya Ingar as Princy
- Terique Jarrett as Felix
- Darkwah as Lucilla
- Sarah Agha as Fatima
- Baby
- Rebecca Lucy Taylor as Emily
- Buket Kömür as Sara
- Emma McDonald as Areej
- Ghazi Al Ruffai as Travis
Production
editSavannah James-Bayly produced the film for Fox Cub Films. Executive producers include Farhana Bhula of Film4, Kristin Irving of BFI, Mary Burke of Public Dreams, and Nina Yang Bongiovi and Forest Whitaker of Significant Productions. Principal photography took place in East London over six weeks and wrapped in December 2022.[2][3]
Release
editFilm4 holds the UK and Ireland TV distribution rights. A first look image was shared in December 2022.[4] Layla was selected by the BFI and British Council for the Great8 showcase at the 2023 Cannes Marché.[5]
The film premiered in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival.[6]
Gallery
editImages from the 2024 Sundance Film Festival screening of Layla:
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Writer and director Amrou Al-Kadhi -
Lead actor Bilal Hasna -
Lead actor Louis Greatorex
References
edit- ^ "Layla". 2024 Sundance Film Festival. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
- ^ Dalton, Ben (1 December 2022). "Amrou Al-Kadhi's queer love story 'Layla' wraps UK shoot for Film4, BFI; first-look revealed (exclusive)". Screen International. Retrieved 14 December 2022.
- ^ Godfrey, Jake (8 December 2022). "British romance Layla wraps production in London". Film Stories. Retrieved 14 December 2022.
- ^ Iftikhar, Asyia (2 December 2022). "British-Iraqi drag performer Amrou Al-Kadhi shares first look at 'radical' queer love story Layla". Pink News. Retrieved 14 December 2022.
- ^ Tabbara, Mona (9 May 2023). "'Chuck Chuck Baby', 'Starve Acre', 'Layla' among UK's Great 8 showcase at Cannes 2023". Screen Daily. Retrieved 15 May 2023.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony; Patten, Dominic (6 December 2023). "Sundance Unveils Packed 2024 Lineup That Includes A.I., Pedro Pascal, Kristen Stewart, Satan, Devo & Steven Yeun". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 6 December 2023.