Egyptian actor Ahmed Malek will attend the world premiere of his first international film, The Furnace, in the Orizzonti section of the 77th Venice International Film Festival on Friday. The premiere of the Australian film will see also presence of the movie's full cast during its first screening which takes place today. The Furnace will also have a second screening later on Friday. Set in Western Australia's 1890s gold rush, The Furnace is an unlikely hero's tale, navigating greed and the search for identity in a new land. Co-starring Malek, The Furnace is headlined by celebrated Australian actor David Wenham, Baykali Ganambarr, winner of the Best New Talent award at the Venice International Film Festival for his role in The Nightingale, Trevor Jamieson, Erik Thomson, Mahesh Jadu and Osamah Sami. The film is directed by Roderick MacKay. It received production support from several institutes, including Screen Australia, in association with Screenwest and Lotterywest and the Western Australian Regional Film Fund. The Furnace is Malek's first collaboration with an international production. Malek is best known for his role as the young Hassan El-Banna in the series The Brotherhood, as well as Ahmed in the series With Premeditation, and teenage womaniser Adham in the TV series Hayat's Tale, for which he received recognition from Middle Eastern audiences. His latest films include Ras El Sana by director Mohamed Sakr and screenwriter Mohamed Hefzy, which is currently available on shahid.net, and The Guest (2019) and Gunshot (2018). In 2013, Malek won a DG Award for Best Young Actor for his performance as Ahmed in With Premeditation. In its 2018 edition, the Berlin International Film Festival announced Malek among its Berlinale Talents. The Venice International Film Festival is taking place between 2 and 12 September.
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