Co-producer of the critically acclaimed multi-award winning film The King’s Speech, Gareth Unwin is currently working on a project that will bring several talents and nationalities together. He will next be producing Zaytoun with Fred Ritzenberg of Far Films to be directed by Eran Riklis, Israeli director of Lemon Tree and The Syrian Bride.
A script penned by the first time Palestinian scribe Nader Rizq tells the story of the unlikely alliance between David and Fahed, two exiles from a divided land. When David – an Israeli fighter pilot – is shot down over Lebanon, he must enlist the help of Fahed – an angry 10-year old Palestinian – in his attempt to reach safety. Their initial distrust develops into friendship as they travel through a hostile country, struggling with their mutual hate and dependency, as they both search for their own idea of home.
Unwin reveals the details of the project that is set in 1983:
By the end of their journey David has learned that he has a shared responsibility in Fahed’s safety and he can’t just kick him back to the camp. He decides that he is actually going to fulfill Fahed’s initial dream and take him to his ancestral home… and that’s Zaytoun.
Currently in the process of casting, Zaytoun will shoot very soon in Israel for a 2012 release.
From director Eran Riklis, comes the tragicomedy The Human Resources Manager, winner of Israel’s 2010 Academy Award for Best Picture, which was selected as the Israeli entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 83rd Academy Awards, but ultimately didn’t make the final cut.
This time, it might be different.
Zaytoun Poster
Source: THR
