New York, June 18, 2021 - VIEWPARK announces in concurrence with the observance of World Refugee Day, 20 June, Marco Orsini’s action-adventure documentary Beyond The Raging Sea, will screen at events in Hong Kong and in Cairo.
As one of the four featured refugee films at the UNHCR (The UN Refugee Agency), Hong Kong’s 14th Charity Refugee Film Festival, taking place in theatre and online between 07 June and 06 July 2021, the film will screen at the MOViE MOViE Cityplaza (Taikoo) at 8:15pm HKT on 20 June. The film will be repeated on 26 June at the Cinematheque at 12:30pm HKT. It will also be available online during the run of the festival (limited to Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR). For both theatre and online tickets and additional information, please visit: https://donate.unhcr.org/hk/virtual-refugee-film-festival-pass-beyond-the-raging-sea/~my-donation-HK# or https://www.unhcr.org/hk/en/film
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and UNDP, the United Nations Development Programme, will present a special event screening on World Refugee Day, 20 June, in Cairo, with Omar Nour and Omar Samra in attendance among other Cairo-based VIPs and Diplomats.
A percentage of the profits from the Hong Kong screening will go two support the work of UNHCR while both screenings will raise awareness of the plight refugees face daily on their journeys.
Beyond The Raging Sea follows the harrowing tale of two Egyptian adventurers, Omar Samra and Omar Nour, as they take on the world’s toughest row, an unsupported, perilous 3,000 nautical mile journey from the Canary Islands to Antigua. The extreme journey is part of an annual ocean-rowing race called the Atlantic Challenge.
Eight days, and 500 miles into their journey across the Atlantic, Team O2 were hit by 45 knot winds and towering waves that caused their boat to capsize - their boat did not self-right as it was meant to do. The 13 hours that followed, deserted and floating in the rough seas in a small rubber raft before they were rescued by a cargo ship which re-routed in answer to their mayday call, became a survival story of epic proportions.
Sponsored by DHL, and in collaboration with UNHCR and UNDP, Team O2 dedicated their row to raising awareness of the global refugee crises. In an ironic twist, Nour and Samra faced the same dangers, terrors and decisions of those they meant to recognize and relieve. Featuring jaw-dropping, you-are-there footage of a remarkable ordeal and rescue at sea, Beyond the Raging Sea is the gripping account of that experience narrated by those who lived it, capturing what they endured, what they felt and what it meant. In this film, an elite adventure introduces us to extraordinary people in exceptional circumstance, navigating existential threats and grueling ordeals, fighting for survival and what comes after. Beyond the Raging Sea is a story that both echoes and illuminates the most pressing humanitarian crisis in the world today.
"UNHCR is grateful to Omar Samra and Omar Nour for dedicating their row to raise awareness of the global refugee crises, shedding light on the terrifying reality of millions of people who were forced to drop everything they have and flee their country looking for safety and protection. Refugees don't always have the tools they need to narrate their powerful stories, but we do have them, and it is our responsibility to show the world their sufferings," said Mr. Karim Atassi, UNHCR Egypt Representative.
Omar Nour is an entrepreneur and retired professional triathlete. He represented Egypt on the Olympic triathlon circuit from 2010 - 2017. In business, he is the co-founder of VENTUM - a performance bike company - and Founder & Chairman of Enduro Supply - a leading distributor of sports brands across the Middle East. Omar Samra is an adventurer, mountaineer, entrepreneur, inspirational speaker and future astronaut. He is the first Egyptian to climb Mount Everest and the 7 Summits and ski to both the Geographic South and North Pole (The Explorer's Grand Slam).
Beyond the Raging Sea, was Written and Directed by Marco Orsini, who Produced in collaboration with DHL, IEFTA, UNHCR, and UNDP, with Executive Producers Omar Nour, Omar Samra, and Ragnhild Ek. The film’s original music is composed by George Acogny.
Beyond The Raging Sea had a sold-out Premiere at Egypt’s El Gouna Film Festival and was praised by all who attended its screening. It was presented as a work in progress in the Doc Corner of the Marché du Film at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival. MAD Solutions will distribute Beyond The Raging Sea throughout the Arab World, while VIEWPARK has acquired the film for the rest of the world.
UNHCR is a humanitarian organization, offering protection and assistance to refugees and others on the basis of their needs and irrespective of their race, religion, political opinion or gender. www.unhcr.org
UNDP works in 170 countries and territories to eradicate poverty while protecting the planet. We help countries develop strong policies, skills, partnerships and institutions so they can sustain their progress. https://www.undp.org
The International Emerging Film Talent Association (IEFTA) is a Monaco based non-governmental organisation founded with the purpose of discovering and developing film talent from emerging regions, globally. We connect filmmakers to established industry professionals, engage cultural diversity and foster relationships that are; mentoring, inspiring and educational. https://www.iefta.org
Omar Samra & Omar Nour are seen floating in their life raft with their capsized rowing boat behind them. Taken from the deck of the ‘Kefalonia’ during the four-hour rescue.
Contact (UNHCR/Hong Kong 14th Charity Refugee Film Festival): Suzanne Wong, +852 3792 0663, wongh@unhcr.org
Contact (UNHCR Egypt): Christine Beshay, +01154348888, beshay@unhcr.org
Contact (International): Gary Springer, +1-914-659-4802, gary@springerassociatespr.com
Contact (Viewpark) for sales inquiries: Krysanne Katsoolis, +1-917-379-7911, admin@viewpark.co
#BeyondTheRagingSea #WithRefugees #Refugees #WorldRefugeeDay
VIEWPARK is a virtual studio with a global reach helmed by Krysanne Katsoolis and Jack M. Dalgleish to finance, package and release film, series and short-form content utilizing and supported by cutting-edge technology. The VIEWPARK mandate is to produce and distribute quality curated content which is provocative, self-aware and also entertaining, and to develop and invest in proprietary media technology.
