Two Egyptian Films to Be Screened at Toronto Intl Film Festival 2024

The 49th edition of the Toronto International Film Festival is set to screen two Egyptian films, namely ‘Drama 1882’ and ‘Perfumed with Mint’, within the festival’s Wavelength section.

‘Drama 1882’ is based on a musical play of the same name, and is directed, choreographed and has music composed by Wael Shawky. The film focuses on themes of resistance to colonialism, and takes place against the backdrop of the Orabi Revolution which took place in Egypt between 1879 and 1882. The film premiered at the 60th International Venice Art Biennale in 2024.

The second Egyptian film set to screen at the festival, ‘Perfumed with Mint’ is directed by Muhammed Hamdy and is his first feature film. The film is also set to be screened at the 39th Venice International Film Festival taking place between August 8th and September 7th. The film focuses on themes of alienation and on the fear and anxieties of a young generation about their future.

The festival’s previous editions have previously screened a number of Egyptian films including ‘The Swimmers’ (2022) and ‘Sheikh Jackson’ (2017).

Other Arab films set to be screened at this year’s edition include Danish-Palestinian filmmaker Mahdi Fleifel’s ‘To a Land Unknown’ and French-Tunisian-Moroccan director Hind Meddeb’s ‘Sudan, Remember Us’.

Taking place from September 5th to the 15th, the Toronto International Film Festival’s full schedule will be released on August 13th.