David Farnor | On 19, Feb 2021

Limbo, Ben Sharrock’s acclaimed British debut feature, will be released in the UK this July, MUBI has confirmed.

The global distributor and curated film streaming service, has released a new film clip for the film, which stars Amir El-Masry (Industry, Jack Ryan, The Night Manager). The cross-cultural satire sews together the hardship and hope of the refugee experience. Set on a fictional remote Scottish island, it follows a group of new arrivals as they await the results of their asylum claims. Among them is Omar (Amir El-Masry), a young Syrian musician struggling with the guilt, regret and grief that comes with leaving his former life behind.

Reflecting the complexity of the movement of people across borders has been a long-held passion for Sharrock, who spent time working for an NGO in refugee camps in southern Algeria, and living in Damascus shortly before the outbreak of the Syrian civil war. There, he formed a network of friends whose personal stories inspired LIMBO.

The film formed part of the Cannes 2020 selection and has since played at the Toronto International Film Festival, the San Sebastian International Festival and the BFI London Film Festival. This month, it was longlisted for Outstanding British Film and Outstanding Debut for the 2021 BAFTA Film Awards.

MUBI will release the film in cinemas in the UK and Ireland (coronavirus pandemic allowing) on 30th July. Before then, it will stream at the Glasgow Film Festival. Here’s a clip:

 

First look: MUBI’s Limbo heads to London Film festival

4th October 2020

MUBI is bringing Limbo to the London Film Festival this October, and we’ve got our first look at the streaming service’s latest acquisition.

The film, from Pikadero director Ben Sharrock, follows a Syrian musician waiting out his asylum request on a remote Scottish island. A wry and poignant observation of the refugee experience starring rising UK star Amir El-Masry, the timely comedy-drama was picked for the Cannes Official Selection this year, even though the festival didn’t take place. It has since gone on to earn praise as the Toronto International Film Festival, and will now continue its festival virtually in London.

The film streams on BFI Player as part of the Journey section of the festival at 6.30pm on Friday 16th October. It will then go on to be released in the UK by MUBI at a later date.

For more on how the festival will work, click here – or head this way for our guide to what to watch at the fest.

Here’s your first look at the film with a new clip released by MUBI:

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