HUDA’S SALON
by Hany Abu-Assad
Synopsis: Nadia, a young mother married to a jealous man, goes to Huda’s salon in Bethlehem, for a haircut and an attentive ear. But this ordinary visit turns sour when Huda, after having put Nadia in a shameful situation, blackmails her to have her work for the secret service of the occupiers, and thus betray her people. As Nadia escapes the salon, that same night, Huda is arrested by Hasan and other members of the resistance. They find nameless pictures of all the women Huda recruited, including Nadia’s. Huda knows that she will be executed the moment she gives up the names. She tries to bide herself as much time as possible.
Meanwhile, Nadia hears rumors that Huda got caught. In a panic attempt to escape the situation, she makes a desperate call to Huda’s phone, which only sends the Freedom fighters on her trail. Now, the dangerous men are getting closer to finding her, and Hasan is getting closer to getting the names from Huda. Huda’s Salon is a heart-racing, entertaining feminist thriller inspired by real events, where two women fight for their freedom.
Cast: Ali Suliman, Maisa Abd Elhadi, Manal Awad.
2021 / Thriller, Drama / Egypt, Palestine, Netherlands / Arabic / Completed
Produced by H&A Productions, Film-Clinic.
By the director of Paradis Now (Academy Award® Nominated for Best Foreign Film, Golden Globe Winner for Best Foreign Film), The Mountain Between Us, Omar (Academy Awards® Nominated for Best Foreign Film, Cannes Jury Prize) / Cinematography by Ehab Assal (The Idol, Omar) / US release by IFC
“Hany Abu-Assad’s latest is a brisk and efficient thriller”
— Screendaily
“A fast-paced thriller centered on the interconnected fates of two women”
— The Hollywood Reporter
“A strong claustrophobic thriller that doesn’t require walls”
— The Moveable Fest
“Maisa Abd Elhadi performance is a master class”
— Entertainment Weekly
“With every passing complication, the tension mounts until we are so viscerally invested in her plight it becomes nearly unbearable”
— The Playlist
“A confident, passionate piece of work”
— Roger Ebert