Though born and raised in Haifa, Israel, filmmaker Amos Gitai had never heard of Fattoush, a popular restaurant-cum-club located in the port city.
“I discovered this club through one of the actresses from one of my previous films. She basically said, ‘Why don’t I take you on a tour of the nightlife in your own town, which you don’t know,’” says Gitai.
That tour, and Fattoush, forms the focal point of “Laila in Haifa,” Gitai’s latest drama, which follows 18 characters from all walks of life as they converge for one night at the Haifa club. The film, which debuted Tuesday in competition at the Venice Film Festival, features a diverse cast of Palestinian and Israeli actors, including Bahira Ablassi, Tom Baum, Tsahi Halevi, Makram Khoury and Amir Khoury.
“The first thing I needed to cast was the site,” says Gitai of Fattoush, a spot known for its spirit of inclusivity.
“I discovered this club through one of the actresses from one of my previous films. She basically said, ‘Why don’t I take you on a tour of the nightlife in your own town, which you don’t know,’” says Gitai.
That tour, and Fattoush, forms the focal point of “Laila in Haifa,” Gitai’s latest drama, which follows 18 characters from all walks of life as they converge for one night at the Haifa club. The film, which debuted Tuesday in competition at the Venice Film Festival, features a diverse cast of Palestinian and Israeli actors, including Bahira Ablassi, Tom Baum, Tsahi Halevi, Makram Khoury and Amir Khoury.
“The first thing I needed to cast was the site,” says Gitai of Fattoush, a spot known for its spirit of inclusivity.
- 9/9/2020
- by Malina Saval
- Variety Film + TV
Similar News
‘Becoming Karl Lagerfeld’ Trailer: Daniel Brühl Stars as Iconic Fashion Designer in Disney+ Series (Exclusive)
- 4/24/2024
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Iciar Bollain’s Movistar Plus+ Original ‘I’m Nevenka’ Secures First Pre-Sales as Premium Feature Wraps Production (Exclusive)
- 4/3/2024
- by Pablo Sandoval and John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
‘Shikun’ Review: Amos Gitai Channels Ionesco’s ‘Rhinoceros’ in His Scattered Critique of Israel
- 2/20/2024
- by Siddhant Adlakha
- Variety Film + TV
‘Fauda’ Actor Idan Amedi Recovering From Surgery After Being Injured Fighting in Gaza
- 1/9/2024
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Arslan Goni to have ‘more screen time, romantic angle’ in ‘Tanaav’
- 12/13/2023
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
Arslan Goni to have ‘more screen time, romantic angle’ in ‘Tanaav’
- 12/13/2023
- by Agency News Desk
New UK Trailer for Egypt Corruption Thriller Film 'Cairo Conspiracy'
- 3/13/2023
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Corruption in Religion - Official US Trailer for 'Cairo Conspiracy' Film
- 1/18/2023
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Ehab Tarabieh’s ‘The Taste of Apples Is Red’ Delves into Absurdity of Occupied Golan Heights, Syrian War by Way of Magical Realism
- 11/15/2022
- by Ed Meza
- Variety Film + TV
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.
More to explore
‘Pam & Tommy’ Stars Sebastian Stan, Lily James Reteam for ‘Let The Evil Go West’ Horror Thriller
- 5/9/2024
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Warner Bros. to Release New ‘Lord of the Rings’ Movie ‘The Hunt for Gollum’ in 2026, Peter Jackson to Produce and Andy Serkis to Direct
- 5/9/2024
- by Jennifer Maas
- Variety - Film News
Steve Albini, Noise Rock Pioneer and ‘In Utero’ Engineer, Dead at 61
- 5/8/2024
- by Daniel Kreps
- Rollingstone.com
Lady Gaga’s ‘Chromatica Ball’ HBO Concert Special to Premiere May 25
- 5/8/2024
- by Jem Aswad
- Variety - TV News
New ‘The Office’ Series Picked Up at Peacock, First Plot Details Reveal Midwestern Newspaper Setting
- 5/8/2024
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety - TV News
Nicholas Galitzine Felt ‘Perhaps Guilt’ for Playing Gay Roles as a Straight Man, Says He’s ‘Terrified’ of Only Being Viewed As a ‘Cut of Beef at a Meat Market’
- 5/9/2024
- by Zack Sharf
- Variety - Film News
Steve Albini, Noise Rock Pioneer and ‘In Utero’ Engineer, Dead at 61
- 5/8/2024
- by Daniel Kreps
- Rollingstone.com
Glen Powell, Anthony Mackie and Laura Dern to Star in John Lee Hancock’s Cancer Trial Drama ‘Monsanto’
- 5/8/2024
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
Jeremy Strong in Talks to Play Bruce Springsteen’s Manager Jon Landau in ‘Nebraska’ Movie Starring Jeremy Allen White (Exclusive)
- 5/8/2024
- by Marc Malkin
- Variety - Film News
Taylor Sheridan Paramount+ Series ‘Landman’ Casts Michael Peña (Exclusive)
- 5/8/2024
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety - TV News
Melanie Lynskey, Robyn Malcolm to Lead ‘Pike River’ Thriller About New Zealand Mining Disaster, Signature Launching Sales in Cannes (Exclusive)
- 5/9/2024
- by Alex Ritman
- Variety Film + TV
‘The Sheriff’: Milo Gibson, Mark Dacascos, Tom Berenger & More Cast In Josh Tessier Crime Thriller
- 5/9/2024
- by Valerie Complex
- Deadline Film + TV
‘Orphan Black: Echoes’ Trailer: Krysten Ritter Runs from Her Past in Chilling Sci-Fi Spinoff Set in 2052
- 5/9/2024
- by Alison Foreman
- Indiewire
The Shohei Ohtani-Translator Gambling Scandal Is Already Becoming a Scripted TV Series
- 5/9/2024
- by Brian Welk
- Indiewire
Lindsay Lohan Has Ann-Margret’s Blessing to Play Her in a Biopic — Report
- 5/9/2024
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
‘Poppy Playtime’ Video Game Adaptation In Works At Legendary
- 5/9/2024
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Paul Walter Hauser to Star in Game Show Drama Feature ‘Press Your Luck’
- 5/9/2024
- by Lily Ford
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Warner Bros. to Release New ‘Lord of the Rings’ Movie ‘The Hunt for Gollum’ in 2026, Peter Jackson to Produce and Andy Serkis to Direct
- 5/9/2024
- by Jennifer Maas
- Variety - Film News
Demi Moore, Margaret Qualley Body Horror ‘The Substance’ Acquired by Mubi Ahead of Cannes Competition World Premiere
- 5/8/2024
- by Alex Ritman
- Variety Film + TV
‘Orphan Black: Echoes’ Trailer: Krysten Ritter Runs from Her Past in Chilling Sci-Fi Spinoff Set in 2052
- 5/9/2024
- by Alison Foreman
- Indiewire
Kristen Johnston Reunites With Chuck Lorre, Joins Leanne Morgan Netflix Comedy Series
- 5/9/2024
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
‘Lioness’ Renewed for Season 2 at Paramount+
- 5/9/2024
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety - TV News
‘Bluey’ Shorts Set To Premiere This Summer On Disney+ & Disney Jr.
- 5/9/2024
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Lady Gaga’s ‘Chromatica Ball’ HBO Concert Special to Premiere May 25
- 5/8/2024
- by Jem Aswad
- Variety - TV News
New ‘The Office’ Series Picked Up at Peacock, First Plot Details Reveal Midwestern Newspaper Setting
- 5/8/2024
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety - TV News