Mediterranean Fever

An unlikely friendship between a depressed wannabe writer and his new irritating neighbour is the starting point for this feature about depression and (toxic) masculinity – part drama, part comedy, and part thriller.

Forty-year-old Waleed lives in Haifa with his wife and children. He dreams of becoming a writer, but spends most of his days fighting writer’s block and depression. Initial irritation evolves into an unlikely friendship when the loud, small-time crook Jalal moves into the apartment next door. But Waleed has an ulterior motive leading them both on a dark journey. The film premiered in Cannes' Un Certain Regard section where it won the best screenplay award.

«Mediterranean Fever is an excellent film, excelling in acting, script, direction, while combining comedy with drama and social commentary in the best fashion.» – Asian Movie Pulse

In connection with the screening of Mediterranean Fever on Sunday 19th of mars at 17:45 there will be a reception where we serve some Palestinian appetisers at 19:45. This is done in partnership with the Palestinian Mission in Oslo.

Director

Maha Haj (b. 1970) is a graduate of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in English and Arabic literature. Her cinematic experience was derived from working as an artistic designer on productions by directors like Elia Suleiman and Ziad Douairi. In 2016 she had her debut fiction feature film Personal Affairs selected for the Cannes Film Festival, to much critical acclaim. Mediterranean Fever, her second feature, also premiered at Cannes where it won the Un Certain Regard award for best screenplay.

This film is part of