Four Egyptian Films to Watch in Cinemas This Eid

The holy month is coming to an end. Konafa platters are slowly giving way to kahk, Ramadan series are wrapping up, and sleep schedules are slowly returning to normal. With the advent of Eid comes yet another national event to look forward to: a slew of cinematic releases in theatres across Egypt. From comedies to true-crime thrillers, here are four Egyptian films to look forward to this Eid...

Family BusinessMore than two decades after ‘Elli Baly Balak’, director Wael Ehsan reunites with Mohamed Saad in ‘Family Business’, a comedy also starring Ghada Adel, Donia Samy, and Hidy Karam. The film follows a struggling family that has long relied on petty theft to get by. When they decide to abandon their illegal hustle and take jobs working inside the home of a wealthy household, they find themselves navigating a world far removed from their own.

Safah El TagamoaInspired by true events, ‘Safah El Tagamoa’ marks the directorial debut of Mohamed Salah El Azab. Starring Ahmed El Fishawy, the crime thriller follows a quiet, socially withdrawn young man whose attempt to rebel against his family spirals into a disturbing fixation with violence, ultimately leading him down the path of a serial killer. The film explores the psychological forces that shape criminal behaviour.

EgyBestDirected by Marwan Abdel Moneam, ‘EgyBest’ takes its cues from the rise of one of the most widely known film piracy platforms in Egypt and the region. Set in Cairo’s El Marg neighbourhood, the film follows two friends behind the site, played by Ahmed and rapper Marwan Pablo in his film debut, as their story unfolds against a backdrop of cinephilia, financial pressure, and the grey areas of online piracy.

BershamaHesham Maged returns to cinemas with ‘Bershama’. The comedy follows a group of students scrambling for ways to pass their Thanaweya Amma Arabic exam—most of which involve anything but studying. The film stars Bassem Samra, Riham Abdel Ghafour, Arfa Abdel Rassoul, and Fadwa Abed, and is directed by Khaled Diab.