An Exclusive Glimpse into “Only Rebels Win” at Berlin Film Festival
EXCLUSIVE: Hiam Abbass, the Palestinian-French actress known for her role in Succession, debuts at the Berlin Film Festival this week in a new film by Danielle Arbid. Set in Beirut, the drama Only Rebels Win features Abbass as a solitary Palestinian widow who embarks on a romantic journey with a young Sudanese man.
The film’s first trailer has been released, unveiling a story of forbidden love between Suzanne, the widow, and Osmane, an undocumented migrant. Their unconventional relationship sparks outrage and disapproval from those around them, challenging them to stand firm against societal norms.
Amine Benrachid, a French actor of South Sudanese and Chadian descent, makes his significant cinematic debut as Osmane. Benrachid was trained at the École Kourtrajmé, an innovative, free film school established by Les Misérables director Ladj Ly.
Only Rebels Win marks the sixth directorial venture of Danielle Arbid, a Lebanon-born filmmaker who moved to Paris during the peak of the Lebanese civil war in 1987. Her portfolio includes notable films such as In the Battlefields (2004), A Lost Man (2007), Parisienne (2015), and Simple Passion (2020).
Arbid introduces her latest film as a mirror to our contemporary, politically charged climate, premiering in the Panorama section of the Berlinale. She discusses the relevance of the film to the ongoing global struggles for freedom, acknowledging her unique perspective living between the East and West.
In a note from the director, Arbid reflects, “In a world that feels increasingly oppressive, this film captures the essence of our times. My protagonists, a modest yet brave woman and a vulnerable man, challenge the societal norms that confine them. Their love is not just an act of affection but a bold statement against conformity. Inevitably, their defiance comes at a cost.”
The production of Only Rebels Win involves a collaboration between Paris-based Easy Riders Films, Beirut-based Abbout Productions, and several other international partners, including the Arab Radio and Television Network and Rise Studios. The project also sees contributions from Les Films Pelléas, Reborn Studio, and Arte Kino Productions 22.
The international distribution rights for the film are managed by the Rome-based Fandango Sales.
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