8 Egyptian Films to Watch at Carthage Film Festival

The 33rd edition of the Carthage Film Festival in Tunisia is putting the spotlight on Egyptian cinema, between its selection of six Egyptian films to participate in its official competition, and the honouring of renowned Egyptian filmmaker Daoud Abdelsayed. These eight Egyptian films are set to participate and be screened at the acclaimed Tunisian festival from October 29th to November 5th...

SHARAF (2022) | Official Narrative Feature Film Competition

Directed by Samir Nasr

Based on renowned writer Sonallah Ibrahim’s popular novel ‘Sharaf’, the feature film tackles themes of poverty, power dynamics, and imprisonment. ‘Sharaf’ is written and directed by Berlin and Cairo-based filmmaker Samir Nasr, who was previously awarded the Naguib Mahfouz Award at the Cairo International Film Festival.

CAI-BER (2022) | Official Short Narrative Film Competition

Directed by Ahmed Abdelsalam

‘Cai-Ber’, led by Egyptian filmmaker Ahmed Abdelsalam, follows the story of the protagonist Nour’s last night in Cairo and her battle with generational trauma, shame, and patriarchy. Nour is played by Tunisian director and actress Mariam El Ferjani, who’s best known for directing the award-winning film ‘Beauty and the Dogs’ (2017). Starring alongside her is Egyptian actor Ibrahim El Naggary.

MICROBUS (2021) | Official Short Narrative Film Competition

Directed by Maggie Kamal

‘Microbus’ tells the story of 17-year-old Nour, played by Egyptian actress Dalia Shawky, and a microbus ride that changes the trajectory of her life. Maggie Kamal’s film has been selected in various festivals around the world, including Beirut Cinema Days and Filmets Badalona Film Festival.

THE TROMBONE THAT SAVED ME (2021) | Short Documentaries Competition

Directed by Anas Salaheldin

Director Anas Salaheldin documents the story of musician Stephan Senftlebenhad and his 20-year hurdle-ridden journey with the trombone, and how he took to the streets to play his beloved instrument during the COVID-19 lockdown.

EDRIS (2022) | Short Documentaries Competition

Directed by Amir El-Shenawy

This short documentary tackles the reality of African refugees in Egypt, through the eyes of a 17-year-old aspiring footballer trying to integrate into Egyptian society. The film is directed by Amir El-Shenawy who’s best known for ‘Kilo 64’ (2018), his debut feature documentary which premiered at Cairo International Film Festival.

MAZE (2021) | Carthage Cine Promises Competition

Directed by Ahmed Nader

‘Maze’ follows the story of a young woman undergoing a life-altering surgery. The short narrative film is directed and written by Egyptian filmmaker Ahmed Nader, and is a High Cinema Institute production.

IN SEARCH OF SAYED MARZOUK (1991) | Tribute

Directed by Daoud Abdelsayed

Part of the festival’s Tribute Programme, Daoud Abdelsayed’s ‘In Search of Sayed Marzouk’ will be screened, honouring Abdelsayed’s impact on cinema. The film starred the late renowned actor Nour El Sherif, with the absurdist plot following Youssef on his day off, roaming the streets of Cairo only to meet mystical symbolic characters that he follows throughout the film.

A CITIZEN, A DETECTIVE, AND A THIEF (2001) | Tribute

Directed by Daoud Abdelsayed

Considered one of Abdelsayed’s most popular works, ‘A Citizen, a Detective, and a Thief’ is a comedy-drama starring Khaled Abo El Nagga, Hend Sabri, and Salah Abdallah. Through the comedic and ironic chain of events, the protagonist is subjected to theft then he later befriends the thief, and informant who’s been spying on him for years.