This year, at the Online World Premiere of the 2021 Tribeca Film Festival, Magnetic North Pictures brings you Director and Co-Writer Jonathan Keijser’s first narrative feature film, Peace by Chocolate, starring Hatem Ali, Ayham Abou Ammar, Yara Sabri, Kathryn Kirkpatrick, Mark Hachem, Najla Al-Khamri and Mark Camacho.
Based on the internationally recognized true story, the narrative explores the complexities of familial relationships, cultural differences, and immigration with bombastic comedy, gripping drama, and delicate hope.
Beginning with the opening scene, the tale begins with the war in Syria and the bombing of the capital Damascus and follows Tareq Hadhad, a charming and ambitious young Syrian refugee, and his struggles to adapt and settle into small-town Antigonish, Nova Scotia. Intent on pursuing his life-long desire to become a doctor, Tareq struggles with the rest of his family, especially his father, Issam, who insists that he stay and help rebuild the family chocolate business and factory. Strengthened by the small yet strong community, the chocolate business flourishes.
The success and growing demands of the business put Tareq in the position where he must choose: help his family and the business, or go back to medical school.
The psychological struggle between father and son to find common ground and navigate the complexities of family duty, assimilating to a new country, and heartbreak and survival has the viewer white-knuckling at the edge of their seat, as they witness these obstacles nearly tear the family apart.
Tune into the Online World Premiere of the 2021 Tribeca Film Festival for the virtual viewing of Peace by Chocolate on Thursday, June 17, 2021, at 8:00 PM ET!