"Exile" Trailer Drops Ahead of Arab World Premiere at CIFF

MAD Solutions has released the official trailer for Mehdi Hmili’s gripping workplace thriller "Exile", ahead of its Arab World premiere in the International Competition of the 46th Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF), taking place from November 12th to 21st.

With poetic imagery of the protagonist walking alone through a sun-drenched field, the teaser for “Exile” offers a glimpse into human solitude and the search for identity. The tension builds as he reaches the factory where he works, until a sudden explosion shatters the silence, raising questions about fate and belonging.

The film already had its world premiere to thunderous applause at the 78th Locarno Film Festival, before embarking on a tour of prestigious festivals, including the Festival International du Film Francophone de Namur (FIFF) and the Festival International du Cinéma Méditerranéen de Montpellier (CINEMED).

A co-production between Tunisia, Luxembourg, France, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, EXILE follows Mohamed, a steel factory worker who survives a devastating explosion that leaves a slowly rusting piece of metal embedded in his head. Reassigned as a security guard and marginalized by the system, Mohamed embarks on a harrowing journey of revenge that unravels a deeper conspiracy — all while his physical condition deteriorates.

Produced by Moufida Fedhila under Yol Film House (Tunisia), Mehdi Hmili, Donato Rotunno of Tarantula (Luxembourg), and Michel Balagué under Volte Film (France), EXILE features a stellar cast, including Ghanem Zrelli, Maram Ben Aziza, Slim Baccar, Younes Farhi, Mohamed Kolsi, and Mourad Gharsalli. The film’s cinematography is by Farouk Laaridha, with editing by Rawchen Mizouri and an original score by Amélie Legrand.

The Red Sea Film Festival Foundation and the Doha Film Institute are co-producing the film, with MAD World responsible for worldwide sales and MAD Distribution overseeing its distribution throughout the Arab World.

The project received support from CNC Tunisia, CNC France, the Luxembourg Film Fund, the Doha Film Institute, the Francophone Image Fund, La Fabrique Cinéma at Cannes, the Red Sea Fund, the Arab Fund for Arts and Culture, and France TV. It also garnered four prestigious awards from the CineGouna platform at the El Gouna Film Festival.