Duraid Lahham and Basil Al-Khatib apologize for not attending the Alexandria Festival

Artists Duraid Lahham and Basil Al-Khatib have expressed their apologies for being unable to attend the 40th Alexandria Film Festival for Mediterranean Countries. Their absence is attributed to the ongoing situation in the region despite the Duraid Lahham and Basil Al-Khatib apologize for not attending the Alexandria Festival kicking off with the screening of their film, *Two Days*, directed by Al-Khatib and starring Lahham.

Basil Al-Khatib: Circumstances Forced Us to Apologize

Al-Khatib shared, “Mr. Duraid and I were eager to attend the festival, and many were looking forward to our presence. However, the current circumstances in Palestine and Lebanon compelled us to apologize. Out of respect for our people and the suffering they endure amidst the international community’s indifference to the thousands of victims who fall daily.”

*Two Days* is competing in two official festival categories: the feature film competition and the Arab film competition named after the late Egyptian artist Nour El-Sherif.

This year marks the second time the Alexandria Film Festival has opened with a film by Basil Al-Khatib. The first instance was in 2018, during the 34th edition, when Duraid Lahham and Basil Al-Khatib apologize for not attending the Alexandria Festival *Damascus Aleppo* premiered, earning the Best Film Award. Duraid Lahham won the Grand Acting Award, while Al-Khatib received the Best Director Award.

*Two Days* is produced by the General Cinema Corporation and written by Talid Al-Khatib. Based on a story by Duraid Lahham, who stars in the film alongside the late Osama Al-Roumani, Rana Shamis, Yahya Al-Bayazi, and Hazem Zidane.

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