Films Boutique Joins the Berlin Competition with ‘Soumsoum, The Night Of The Stars’
Films Boutique Acquires World Sales Rights to Mahamat-Saleh Haroun’s Soumsoum, The Night Of The Stars
Films Boutique has secured the world sales rights to Soumsoum, The Night Of The Stars, the latest feature from acclaimed Chadian director Mahamat-Saleh Haroun, ahead of its world premiere at the upcoming Berlin Film Festival.
The film was revealed on Tuesday as one of 22 titles competing for the prestigious Golden and Silver Bears at the festival’s 76th edition, which is set to run from February 12 to 22.
Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Ennedi Massif in northeastern Chad, the drama immerses viewers in the region’s haunting landscapes, echoing ancient legends and memories of a forgotten past.
The narrative follows Kellou, a young woman from a nearby village grappling with intense visions that alienate her from her community. Her life takes a transformative turn upon encountering Aya, an outcast whom the villagers reject. As their bond deepens, Kellou must confront escalating hostility from her neighbors and advocate for Aya amidst growing opposition.
“Through his career that spans over thirty years already, Mahamat-Saleh Haroun has established himself as one of the most acclaimed filmmakers from the African continent, and we are particularly proud to continue our collaboration with him and his team,” said Jean-Christophe Simon, CEO of Films Boutique.
Simon emphasized the film’s unique qualities, stating, “Without revealing too much, Soumsoum, Night Of The Stars is a unique film set in the stunning Ennedi Desert in Chad, often seen as the cradle of humanity. The story links ancient traditions with issues that still matter today. It explores contrasts such as old cosmologies versus monotheist religions, tradition versus conformity, and the tension between men and women. At its heart, the film also celebrates female sorority.”
The film features a cast that includes Maïmouna Miawama, Ériq Ebouaney (Lumumba), and Achouackh Abakar Souleymane. Haroun co-wrote the screenplay with Laurent Gaudé, whose dystopian novel Dog 51 was recently adapted for the screen. Produced by Florence Stern at Paris-based Pili Films in collaboration with Haroun’s Chad-based company, Goï-Goï Productions, the film boasts cinematography by Mathieu Giombini (Lingui, Lost Country) and an original score by Central African musician Bibi Tanga. Distribution in France will be handled by KMBO.
Haroun is one of Africa’s most celebrated directors. His debut docu-drama feature, Bye Bye Africa, premiered at the Venice Film Festival in 1999, where it won the collateral CinemAvvenire Award for best first film along with a special mention for the Luigi De Laurentiis Award. In 2006, he returned to Venice with Daratt, A Dry Season, which earned the Special Jury Prize.
Since then, nearly all of Haroun’s films have been showcased at Cannes, with A Screaming Man winning the Jury Award at the Cannes Competition in 2010. His subsequent films, Grigris and Lingui, The Sacred Bonds, were also contenders for the Palme d’Or in 2013 and 2021, respectively.
