‘Peace By Chocolate’ Clip: First Look At Syrian Family Drama Based On True Story, To Premiere In Tribeca

EXCLUSIVE: Deadline has your first look at Peace By Chocolate, a Syrian family drama, which is set to premiere at the 2021 Tribeca Film Festival on June 18.

From director, co-writer and co-producer Jonathan Keijser (What Would Beethoven Do?), the film follows Tareq Hadhad (Ayham Abou Ammar), a charming young Syrian refugee. After the bombing of his family’s chocolate factory, he struggles to settle into small-town life in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. Despite moving to a new country, Tareq is intent on pursuing his dream to become a doctor. But when his father, Issam (Hatem Ali) insists he must focus on survival, Tareq and his family move towards a different, but familiar path: rebuilding Issam’s chocolate business.

When what seemed like a nostalgic attempt to cling onto remnants of an old life past becomes an overnight sensation, Tareq is shocked. Put in the role of business manager, he must choose between the demands of an exponentially growing business and an offer to go back to medical school. New challenges arise between a rival chocolatier while the heartbreak of Tareq’s sister left behind in Syria weighs heavily on the family.

Nevertheless, Tareq remains set on his goals, buoyed by a supportive community of eclectics. As father and son both struggle to find common ground and navigate the complexities of family duty, the heightening tension between them threatens to tear the family apart.

The film is based on the true story behind Canadian chocolatier company Peace By Chocolate.

The cast is rounded out by Yara Sabri, Mark Camacho, Kathryn Kirkpatrick and Najlaa Khamri. Abdul Malik is a co-writer. Martin Paul-Hus and Catherine Légar co-produce with Chadi Dali executive producing.

Check out the first clip from Peace By Chocolate above.