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'Asphalt' is a travelogue about two Arab truckers on the road set against the fragile region they cross, and a poetic and realistic journey into their daily existence.
'Asphalt' delves into the lives of two truck drivers on the road, crossing borders, towns and cities, loading and unloading goods. Lebanese truck driver Derar Nsseir transports goods across Syria, Jordan and all the way to other countries. Meanwhile, Mohamad Ahmad (Scooter), an Egyptian, drives across Egypt and to the Sudanese border delivering necessities. Yet these two have one thing in common: making a living in ever-changing scenery on an asphalt road that stretches kilometres across the Arab world. 'Asphalt' takes us on a journey to examine closely the subtle relationship between man and machine, and provides a reflection on life from behind the wheel.

Credits

Director
Ali Hammoud
Screenwriter
Ali Hammoud
Producer
Abir Hashem
Production Company
Solo Films

About the Director

Ali Hammoud
Born and raised in Kuwait, Ali Hammoud is a Lebanese filmmaker, executive producer and artist. He completed his BA in Communication Arts at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Since 2001, he has worked as a freelance director and editor for several TV stations, and on documentary films in Lebanon and abroad. In 2009, Hammoud completed his debut short documentary, ‘about those who have gone’,

Producers

Abir Hachem

Abir Hashem studied law at university before starting her career in the film industry in order to realise her lifelong dreams through hard work and experience. In 2000, together with her two brothers, she launched Solo Films, a production house that kick-started her experience in the documentary field. She has worked as an assistant and executive producer on documentaries, corporate videos and commercials. Hashem was selected by Docmed to participate in a creative documentary training programme in 2011/12, and has managed DocuDays: Beirut International Documentary Festival for five years.

Contacts