What to Watch in North Africa This Month
From the magic of friendship to the spirits of 1001 nights, this month’s guide invites you into Egyptian and Moroccan worlds.
‘El Hawa Sultan’ is Egyptian actors Menna Shalaby and Ahmed Dawood’s second film after collaborating on Al Maa wa Al Khodra wa Al Wajh El Hassan (Brooks, Meadows and Lovely Faces).
In the past weeks, the region was pulled into the rollercoaster of Love is Blind Habibi and its highly anticipated one-year reunion. If you made it through and are ready to move on to more comedies and drama, this month’s guide has you covered.
The Brink of Dreams (Egypt)
After celebrating its world premiere at the Critics’ Week of Cannes Film Festival, the documentary The Brink of Dreams is finally showing in Egyptian cinemas. Created by the director-producer team of Nada Riyadh and Ayman El Amir, the story unfolds in Al-Barsha village and follows a group of Coptic village girls who form a theater troupe. Their plays, rooted in Upper Egyptian folklore, address issues like early marriage, domestic violence and the education of girls. The film revolves around three protagonists: Magda, who aspires to study theater in Cairo; Heidi, who dreams of becoming a ballet dancer; and Monica, who hopes to be a renowned singer.
Where to watch: Egyptian cinemas
‘The Inevitable Journey to Find a Wedding Dress’ (Egypt)
In this film written and directed by Jaylan Auf, a young woman from an impoverished neighborhood in Egypt is getting married. The day before the ceremony, her wedding gown is torn, and she embarks on a journey to Egypt’s capital Cairo with her best friend, searching for a last-minute replacement. The film stars Salwa Mohamed Ali, Asmaa Galal and Yasmin Raeis.
Where to watch: Zawya Cinema Cairo
‘Za3zou3’ (Morocco)
Blending humor and adventure, this fantasy comedy tells the story of Jawhar, a local tour guide played by Mohamed Bassou, and his friend Faraji, played by Ezzoubair Hilal. The two discover a mysterious manuscript and accidentally release Za3zou3, a naughty jinn played by Oussama Ramzi, who can grant 100 wishes. Directed by Rabii Chajid, Za3zou3 draws you into the stunning natural landscape of Zagora as the friends find themselves pursued by treasure hunters and the police.
Where to watch: Moroccan cinemas
‘Al Shanab’ (Egypt)
Following a sudden death, the members of Al Shanab family gather in Alexandria for a funeral. Across three generations, they maneuver their grief and grievances amidst several comic situations arising between four aunts, their children and their grandchildren. The film, which stars Lebleba, Laila Eloui, Sawsan Badr and Heidy Karam and was directed by award-winning Egyptian filmmaker Ayten Amin, premiered at the Gouna Film Festival in October.
Where to watch: Egyptian cinemas
‘El Hawa Sultan’ (Egypt)
Sara, a government employee, and Ali, an engineer, have been best friends since elementary school, but as they evolve into lives of daily routines full of new friends and love interests, their friendship is forced to adapt. Co-starring Menna Shalaby and Ahmed Dawood, this romantic comedy was written and directed by Heba Yousry and delves into the complexities of love between friends, a topic that, according to Dawood, is underexplored in Egyptian cinema.
Where to watch: Egyptian cinemas
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