THE ALLEYS REVIEWS ARE FRESH

THE ALLEYS impresses critics and international press on the festival circuit. The Jordanian film, written and directed by Bassel Ghandour, premiered at The Locarno Festival’s 8,000 seat Piazza Grande, Europe's biggest screen. It continued its festival tour with stops in the English capital where it played at The BFI London Film Festival, Saudi Arabia for its Middle Eastern Premiere at The Red Sea International Film Festival, and The Netherlands to play at the renowned International Film Festival Rotterdam.

Along the way the film was awarded the Grand Prix du Jury at Festival du Premier Film d’Annonay in France and nabbed the Audience Award and a Special Mention by the joury at The Malmo Arab Film Festival in Sweden.

After COVID related delays, THE ALLEYS is finally set to make its regional commercial release. On June 9th the film will play in Cinemas across Jordan and Saudi Arabia, before expanding to more Arab Countries (to be announced soon).

“Directorially, Bassel Ghandour blended Western and Arabic styles, giving him a unique and distinguished manner that is new to Jordanian cinema. Breaking filmmaking conventions requires confidence, and this appears to be what will distinguish this director,” wrote prominent Arab Critic Ola El Sheikh on Raseef 22.

“At first THE ALLEYS seems to fall somewhere between the Egyptian neighborhood dramas of the 50s and 60s, and Martin Scorsese’s early films. However, as the film progresses, it becomes clear that the film has its own unique style, tackling its subject matter in a manner that is authentic, smooth and original,” wrote Critic Mohamed Reda.

"This ambitious debut feature from Bassel Ghandour has confidence and style...It’s largely due to the strength of the cast that none of these characters fade into the background ; each has autonomy and presence in their own story,” Nikki Baughan wrote in Screendaily.

“Bassel Ghandour's debut feature is spellbinding crime drama…The myriad twisting interrelationships draw comparisons with a Scorsese gangster film…Beautifully shot, and impressively acted..Whilst much of the action takes place within a small area of the city, the film feels epic in scope,” reported Backseat Mafia

“Ghandour uses this sensibility to create an entertaining thriller...His approach to the well-worn genre confirms an emerging promising voice in world cinema...Ghandour’s film breathes fresh life into these seductive characters through the simple change of the cultural setting,” Paul Risker wrote in Pop Matters

“An immensely fun crime caper with a charismatic cast of reprobates and rebels, The Alleys will stick in mind and heart long after the last debt has been paid,” reported One Room with a View

“The Alleys is a great thriller, telling a story that weaves complex and intelligent topics into compelling and thoroughly entertaining character arcs...Much like the avenues and alleyways in which it takes place, this feature is full of twists and turns...a very strong script, which is able to masterfully shift tone from intense and violent to playful and funny without losing any momentum,” wrote Film Critic Umar Ali, on The Upcoming website.

“ The film is packed with thrill and crime, somewhat similar to Scorsese’s films where you can never predict which detail will open the gates of hell. It’s a complicated story and full of tension. In the meantime, it’s simple and entertaining, especially with scenes that enlighten the audience,” wrote Film Critic Giacomo Butti in Corriere Del Ticino newspaper.

THE ALLEYS is written and directed by Bassel Ghandour and stars Emad Azmi, Baraka Rahmani, Munther Rayahneh, Maisa Abd Elhadi, Nadira Omran, and Nadim Rimawi