Palestinian director Hany Abu-Assad’s humanistic approach to political subjects has earned him worldwide acclaim. His films “Paradise Now” and “Omar” were both Oscar-nominated in the Best Foreign Language category (now known as Best International Feature Film), and the latter won the Special Jury Prize at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival. Both focused on ordinary people whose lives are manipulated and torn apart by the military tension of their surroundings. His latest movie, “Huda’s Salon,” follows a similar blueprint, but this time with a female lead.
Here’s the official synopsis:
“Nadia, a young mother, married to a jealous man, goes to Huda’s salon in Bethlehem. But this routine visit turns sour when Huda, after having put Nadia in a shameful situation, blackmails her to have her work for the secret service of the occupiers, and thus betray her people.”
Nadia is played by Maisa Abd Elhadi (“Baghdad Central”). Her supporting cast includes Ali Suliman (“Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan”) and Manal Awad (“Gaza mon amour”). The trailer promises a healthy dose of what has made Abu-Assad’s previous work so effective: relatable characters, intelligent plotting, and razor-sharp performances. The film had its world premiere at last September’s Toronto International Film Festival, where it garnered at least one important rave review via Playlist contributor Carlos Aguilar.
“Huda’s Salon” premieres in theaters on March 4.
