Dubai-based sales company, Mad World, has secured global distribution rights for “The Last City,” the next project from Lebanese filmmaker Ghassan Salhab. Salhab is a prominent figure in Lebanon’s arthouse cinema scene and has made a name for himself with acclaimed works like “Terra Incognita,” “The Last Man,” “The Mountain,” and “The Valley,” all of which have been featured at prestigious film festivals worldwide.
“The Last City” is set in a dystopian Beirut besieged by vampires, and the narrative unfolds over five non-consecutive nights that recount the city’s final days. Salhab plans to begin filming this winter, exploring a world where vampires roam freely in search of dwindling victims. The film serves as a sequel of sorts to Salhab’s earlier work “The Last Man,” delving deeper into the themes of division, transformation, and fragmentation in a city plagued by supernatural forces.
Produced by Tania El-Khoury in Lebanon, “The Last City” is a joint effort between Khamsin Films in Lebanon and Les Films de l’Altaï in France, with financial support from organizations like the Arab Fund for Arts and Culture, CNC, and Mad Solutions in Cairo. Mad World, the newly established sales company at Cannes, aims to promote Arab cinematic talent on a global scale, collaborating with visionary filmmakers like Salhab, whose unique storytelling style has captivated audiences for over two decades.
Mad World’s co-presidents Alaa Karkouti and Maher Diab are committed to showcasing the rich cultural heritage and storytelling abilities of Arab filmmakers, particularly those like Salhab, whose filmography spans various genres and formats. With a roster of over 15 films to his name, Salhab continues to push the boundaries of Arab cinema, offering audiences a glimpse into worlds both familiar and fantastical.