A BIRD FROM PARADISE: A hilarious cross-cultural rom-com

 

Mourad Ben Cheikh's ambitious new film A BIRD FROM PARADISE brings romantic comedies back with an added touch of cross-cultural flair. 
 

 

 

The film follows Amadeus, a charming Italian antique dealer who finds himself smitten by Bardra, AKA Betty. After the two lovebirds decide to marry and flee to Tunisia, Amadeus finds himself in the clutches of an extremely religious and disapproving mother.

 

 

 

Moreover, as his in-laws pose another threat, our groom-to-be is pressured to part with something quite dear to him. Will the power of love prevail, or will family and tradition tear the couple apart?

Amadeus and Betty spell a delightful revival of the rom-com genre, weaving a narrative rich with charm and conflict while setting the stage for a humorous and poignant exploration of love's complexities against the backdrop of cultural differences. The film deftly balances humor with heartfelt moments, highlighting the struggles many face when navigating a relationship within the confines of tradition, as love often requires sacrifice and understanding to be bridged. 
 

 

 

With witty dialogue and vibrant cultural depictions, this film breathes new life into the romantic comedy genre, making it all the more entertaining and thought-provoking. As Amadeus and Betty navigate their trials and tribulations, viewers are left to ponder whether love can truly conquer all or if rigid expectations will ultimately dictate their fate. 
 

 

 

Discussing the film, Ben Cheikh notes, "This social and cultural comedy creates a space for interaction between the North and the South, allowing us to laugh together at ourselves, far from all the tragedies that tend to divide us."

 

 

 

 A BIRD FROM PARADISE is an adaptation of the novel La Marmite d'Ayoubby by writer Mohamed Redha Ben Hamouda and is produced by Habib Attia, Silvia Innocenzi, and Giovanni Saulini for Alfa Multimedia and Cinetel Film. 

Featuring Italian actor Nicola Nocella, Amal Manaï, Jamal Madani, and Mounira Zakraoui, the film was shot by Giorgio Giancarlo, edited by Anes Saadi and Mahdi Barsaoui, sound edited by Tarek Tayba, and scored by Rabii Zamouri, with MAD World handling worldwide sales and MAD Distribution managing sales and distribution rights across the Arab world. 
 

 

 

A BIRD FROM PARADISE is set to world premiere on Tuesday, October, 8th,  at the Oran Film Festival, running from October 4th to the 12th.