Egyptian thriller 'Flight 404,' starring Mona Zaki, has been making waves in the Middle East and North Africa region, leading to a small but significant rollout in the U.S. and Europe. Directed by Hani Khalifa, the film follows Zaki's character, Ghada, as she prepares to embark on the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, only to be confronted with a sudden emergency that forces her to reconnect with her troubled past.
Since its release in Egypt on Jan. 25, 'Flight 404' has garnered over 450,000 admissions across the MENA region, setting new box office records for a female-led film in Egypt and dominating the Saudi box office for four consecutive weeks. In Saudi Arabia alone, the film has attracted approximately 280,000 viewers and grossed $4 million.
The film's success has prompted international distributors to bring 'Flight 404' to audiences beyond the Middle East. Ceema Films has launched the film in the U.S. and Canada, with plans to release it in Sweden, Denmark, Austria, and the Netherlands on March 1. Various distribution companies are handling the film's release in different countries across the region.
Producer Mohamed Hefzy expressed his belief in the film's universal appeal, stating, 'I always thought that in terms of story and execution, this is a film that deserved to find a niche audience in international markets.' He hopes that more Arabic films will have the opportunity to reach global audiences in the future.
Aside from Mona Zaki, the star-studded cast of 'Flight 404' includes Mohamed Farrag, Mohamed Mamdouh, Shereen Reda, Khaled al-Sawi, Mohamed Alaa, and Hassan Al-Adl. The film is a production of Film Clinic and Lagoonie Film Production, in collaboration with Pictures Entertainment Group and Hi Media Production from Saudi Arabia.
