Alloush has enjoyed a nearly two-decade-long career, starring in notable films and TV series.
Syrian superstar Kinda Alloush’s latest films, Wendy Bednarz’s Yellow Bus and Soudade Kaadan’s Nezouh, garnered significant attention at this year’s Abu Dhabi CineMAS Film Festival, held from May 20 to May 26 at Manarat Al Saadiyat.
Nezouh was screened on May 24, followed by the UAE premiere of Yellow Bus on May 26. The screening of Yellow Bus included a Q&A session where director Wendy Bednarz and producer Nadia Eliewat shared exclusive behind-the-scenes stories about the film’s production.
In Yellow Bus, Kinda Alloush portrays a school principal entangled in a scandal following a tragic school bus accident that results in a child’s death. The principal attempts to shield the school from the scandal by offering blood money to the child’s family and forming a bond with the surviving sister as she grapples with her guilt.
Currently showing in cinemas across Saudi Arabia, Yellow Bus is OSN’s first original feature and will soon be released in UAE theatres. The film has already received accolades, winning the Global Vision Award at the Cinequest Film & Creativity Film Festival and the top prize at South Africa’s Joburg Film Festival. Its festival journey began with a world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival.
Directed by Wendy Bednarz, Yellow Bus stars Kinda Alloush alongside Bollywood’s Tannishtha Chatterjee, Amit Sial, and Aarushi Laud. The film is a co-production involving the US, India, Jordan, and the UAE, with MAD World handling worldwide sales rights and MAD Distribution managing theatrical rights across the Arab-speaking region. Producers Nadia Eliewat and Guneet Monga also contributed to the film.
In Nezouh, Alloush plays the mother of 14-year-old Zina, whose life changes when a missile destroys her room’s ceiling during the Syrian conflict. This forces Zina to sleep under the stars and befriends Amer, the boy next door. As violence escalates, Zina’s mother, Hala, decides to flee, leading to a confrontation with her husband, Motaz, who refuses to leave their home.
Nezouh premiered at the Venice International Film Festival’s Orizzonti Extra Competition, winning the Audience and Lanterna Magica Award. It has since screened at over 20 international film festivals, winning several awards including the Amnesty International Award at the MedFilm Festival.
Written and directed by Soudade Kaadan, Nezouh features Kinda Alloush, Samir Al-Masri, Hala Zein, and Nizar Alani. It is produced by Berkeley Media Group Limited, KAF Production, and Agat Films & Cie, with MK2 Films handling worldwide distribution rights and MAD Distribution managing sales in the Arab-speaking region.
