El Houb

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El Houb

Released Mar 31, 2023

1h 42m

Drama

LGBTQ+

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

100%

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7 Reviews

90%

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

Moroccan-Dutch Karim tells his parents that he is attracted to men. After years of keeping up appearances, the word is finally out. The difficult days that follow evoke beautiful and poignant memories. He realizes that he has to confront his family to finally break the silence. But in order to be accepted, he must come to terms with his own feelings first.

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Randy Myers

San Jose Mercury News

Funny and devastating in equal measures.

Rated: 3/4

Apr 5, 2023

Full Review

Ally Ham

Video Librarian Magazine

El Houb makes compelling observations about silence, shame, family, and love.

Oct 7, 2024

Full Review

Matthew Creith

Edge Media Network

"El Houb" is a poignant peek into one family's handling of a queer coming-out story. The film helps translate cultural differences and a generational divide while trying to comprehend the modern gay experience.

Jul 25, 2023

Full Review

Federico Furzan

Movie-Blogger.com

Shariff Nasr‘s film is beautiful. There’s no other way to put it. El Houb is a loud and authentic statement that feels like a product of love made with passion and heart.

Rated: 4/5

Apr 19, 2023

Full Review

Rich Cline

Shadows on the Wall

Even if the story feels a little unfinished, authentic dialog ripples with enormous ideas.

Rated: 3.5/5

Apr 11, 2023

Full Review

Evan Dossey

Midwest Film Journal

A dreamlike odyssey through past and present that traffics in literal and symbolic imagery to create an emotional, honest experience.

Apr 5, 2023

Full Review

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Peter K

One of the most powerful, intimate, and insightful productions to grace the screen. This is cinema at its best -- period. Kudos to all!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/24/25

Full Review

henriet m

Normally I'm not such a big fan of Dutch movies but this one was really good! Touching story, very good acting, so realistic and recognisible and funny and sad at times. But a hopeful end! Definitly one to watch again! Hopefully it will help LHBTI+ people and especially the Islamitic community to open up the views of acceptance so that everybody can have the life and the love that they want!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/03/25

Full Review

Calvin P

This cinematic journey is a poignant exploration of the cultural struggles of being apart of the LGBTQIA+ community. It resonates particularly with those who have experienced the profound challenge of breaking their silence and "coming out". The film masterfully weaves together a narrative that tug at the heartstrings, encapsulating the universal desire for an authentic life. The film triumphs in capturing the collective spirit to live openly and authentically. Through its evocative storytelling, the film manages to break down emotional walls, leaving the audience with a profound understanding of the pain but arguably the personal triumph that comes with embracing one's true self.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/30/23

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Shariff Nasr

Director

Fahd Larhzaoui

Karim Zahwani

Lubna Azabal

Fatima Zahwani

Slimane Dazi

Abbas Zahwani

Sabri Saddik

Redouan Zahwani

Yahya Gaier

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Synopsis

Moroccan-Dutch Karim tells his parents that he is attracted to men. After years of keeping up appearances, the word is finally out. The difficult days that follow evoke beautiful and poignant memories. He realizes that he has to confront his family to finally break the silence. But in order to be accepted, he must come to terms with his own feelings first.

Director: Shariff Nasr
Producer: Piet-Harm Sterk, Joram Willink
Screenwriter: Shariff Nasr, Philip Delmaar
Distributor: Dark Star Pictures
Production Co: Vrijzinnig Protestantse Radio Omroep (VPRO), Doco Digital, BIND
Genre: Drama, LGBTQ+
Original Language: Arabic
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 31, 2023, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 4, 2023
Runtime: 1h 42m

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