So, when Netflix came calling, everyone expected him to fold.
: Director Ahmad Reza Darvish has actively campaigned against the illegal distribution of the film, calling on people not to watch or download pirated versions on platforms like YouTube or Facebook, labeling such acts as "haram and illegal". Where to Watch (Is it on Netflix?) hussein who said no netflix
He is funding the film through a combination of European arts grants, a crowdfunding campaign that explicitly forbids anyone from donating more than €50, and his own savings. So, when Netflix came calling, everyone expected him to fold
But the price of that access, critics argue, is homogenization. The platform’s interface rewards certain narrative structures, pacing, and genre tags. Over time, even “edgy” films begin to feel templated. The rebel becomes a category. But the price of that access, critics argue,
As of 2025, Hussein Hassan has not signed with any streaming service. He has also turned down Apple TV+, Amazon Prime, and even a boutique art-streaming service called MUBI.
Instead, he is working on his next feature: a 7-hour documentary about bread. Specifically, a single bakery in Aleppo that has operated continuously since 1892. There is no trailer. There is no release date. There may never be a distributor.