Hayy Cinema November 2025 Programme

Join us this November at Hayy Cinema as we present stories of resilience, identity, and belonging across the Arab world.

The month begins with Palestine Cinema Days Around the World on November 2, on the anniversary of the Balfour Declaration (a public statement issued by the British Government in 1917 during the First World War announcing its support for the establishment of a “national home for the Jewish people” in Palestine), with the documentary A State of Passion (2024). Also showing in November are Arze (2023) and Aïcha (2024), two enriching and empowering stories highlighting the strength and complexities of Arab women, Souleymane’s Story (2024), an intimate portrait of migration and part of Hayy Cinema’s monthly French cinema club Rendezvous with French Cinema, in collaboration with Alliance Française, and the acclaimed film Still There’s Tomorrow (2023), as part of Italian Film Night, in collaboration with the Italian Consulate.

In collaboration with Hayy Arts, Hayy Cinema invites audiences to the world of video art with Adwa’a, a programme that offers a captivating introduction to the evolution of video art across decades and regions. Journey through groundbreaking international experiments from the mid-20th century, to powerful works from the Arab world, and local video artists with screenings and conversations.

Aïcha, directed by Mehdi Barsaoui, is a gripping, thrilling study of the evolution of a young woman as she tries to find a new life and new identity.

—Alexa Dalby 

Aicha (2024) : Aya, a 30-year-old Tunisian from Tozeur, faces unhappiness amid social pressures and disillusionment. When misfortune strikes, it unexpectedly becomes a life-changing opportunity, forcing her to reevaluate everything.

Genre: Drama   Directed by: Mehdi Barsaoui

Duration: 2h 3m

Country of Production: Tunisia

Language: Arabic Subtitles: TBA

Cast: Fatma Sfarr, Hela Ayed, Ala BenHamad

Mira Shaib’s Arzé is an impressive and inspiring feature film debut.

—Frank J. Avella

Arzé (2024) : Arzé, a single mother, takes her teenage son on a journey across sectarian Beirut in search of their stolen scooter, their only source of livelihood.

Genre: Drama, Comedy   Directed by: Mira Shaib

Duration: 1h 30m

Country of Production: Lebanon

Language: Arabic Subtitles: TBA

Cast: Diamand Abou Abboud,Betty Taoutel,Bilal Al Hamwi

Rendezvous with French Cinema 

Join us this November for the monthly French cinema club, Rendezvous with French Cinema,  in collaboration with Alliance Française, with the goal of practicing, listening, and strengthening French language skills.

A gripping and deeply human tale that sheds light on the struggles of asylum seekers in modern Paris.

Souleymane’s Story (2024): A Paris-based food delivery cyclist and asylum seeker, Souleymane, has just two days to get his story ready for a critical interview that will determine whether he can obtain legal residency.

Genre: Drama   Directed by: Boris Lojkine

Duration: 1h 33m

Country of Production: France

Language: French Subtitles: TBA

Cast: Abou Sangare, Alpha Oumar Sow