Category: culture and media

The 26th edition of the Carthage Theatre Days (JTC) launched spectacularly with a majestic production of William Shakespeare’s “King Lear,” presented by the Egyptian National Theatre. The performance, directed by Shadi Sorour and starring living legend Yahia Fakharani, set a high bar for the prestigious festival. Staged in a new Arabic translation by Fatma Moussa, the production delves into Shakespeare’s timeless exploration of the illusion of power. The narrative follows Lear as he cedes his kingdom to his two daughters, a decision that propels him into a devastating descent into…

Dubai-based distributor and producer Front Row Filmed Entertainment has partnered with Abajour Productions on “Batata Chips Aa Festouk” – or Peanuts – the feature directorial debut of acclaimed Lebanese actor and writer Fouad Yammine. The film, which completed principal photography in Beirut this past October and is now in post-production, presents a darkly comedic and existential story. It follows a thirty-something nobody named Nouhad who, deciding to end his life, opts to turn his suicide into a cinematic spectacle. With nothing left to lose, he hires a struggling cameraman to document his…

 The powerful docudrama “The Voice of Hind Rajab,” which recounts the true story of a six-year-old Palestinian girl whose death shocked the world, made its regional premiere to a moved audience at the Doha Film Festival this week. The film, directed by Oscar-nominated Tunisian filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania, was presented in the presence of its cast and crew, as well as Wessam Hamada, the mother of Hind Rajab. The premiere was met with a warm reception, marking a significant moment for Arab cinema. Based on harrowing real-life audio recordings, the…

My visit to the Al-Ahram newspaper headquarters was more than a tour of a media institution; it was a passage through the layers of time. I have walked through living history, one that still breathes within the corridors of one of Egypt’s and the Arab world’s most venerable newspapers. From the moment I entered its halls, it was clear this was an encounter with the memory of a nation—a cultural and media institution that has shaped the consciousness of generations. Walking those passageways, which once echoed with the footsteps of…

The 26th edition of the Carthage Theatre Days launched Saturday evening at the City of Culture in Tunis, gathering artists and intellectuals from Tunisia and abroad for a celebration of performing arts. In his opening speech, Festival Director Mounir Argui framed the event as a platform for diverse global voices. He stated that the participating performances carry “experiences, perspectives, and questions that intersect with current human issues,” representing talents from Tunisia, the Arab world, and Africa. Argui emphasized theatre’s vital role in “confronting isolation and fear” and directly addressed the…

With elegance rooted in legacy and a vision shaped by modernity, the 46th edition of the Cairo International Film Festival concluded its events after days filled with screenings, dialogues, masterclasses, and memorable moments that reaffirmed its status as the oldest and most prestigious film festival in the Arab world.It was a distinguished edition led by the iconic actor Hussein Fahmy, whose steady guidance brought balance, clarity, and a renewed sense of purpose to the festival. Hussein Fahmy… Leadership with Vision and Cinematic Awareness This year’s edition carried a remarkable imprint…

The 46th Cairo International Film Festival concluded its edition with a deeply emotional closing ceremony that highlighted the human role of cinema and celebrated remarkable Arab and international achievements. The evening opened with an impactful moment as the voice and image of the Palestinian child Hind Rajab were played on screen, casting a profound silence across the hall before Festival President Hussein Fahmy took the stage. In his speech, Fahmy stressed that cinema holds the power to preserve truth and document stories that the world often attempts to overlook. He…

The 46th Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF) drew to a poignant close with a powerful tribute to cinema’s role as a guardian of truth, as Festival President and veteran actor Hussein Fahmy decried the world’s inaction in the face of human tragedy. The ceremony took an emotional turn following the screening of a photograph of the late Palestinian child Hind Rajab, accompanied by a recording of her voice. Taking the stage, Fahmy reflected on the fundamental duty of filmmakers and artists to document reality. “The call you just heard may…

Following a successful run in Cairo, “Umm Kulthum… D’aybeen fi Soot El-Sett” may soon tour internationally, with Tunisia—a nation with a special historical connection to the icon—as a key destination. After nearly two months of captivating audiences in Cairo, the theatrical production “Umm Kulthum… D’aybeen fi Soot El-Sett” is poised for an international tour, with producer Medhat El Adl expressing a particular ambition to stage the play in Tunisia, where the legendary singer’s legacy holds profound historical significance. The play, which has drawn steady crowds, offers more than a simple…

The 46th Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF) announced on Thursday, 20 November, the winners of the “Future Generation Awards,” introduced last year as part of Cairo Industry Days (CID). The awards aim to support emerging Arab talents in directing, acting, film criticism, and visual arts, and to encourage fresh perspectives that reflect the diversity and evolution of Arab cinema. Presented in collaboration with The Film Verdict, the awards embody the festival’s commitment to discovering a new generation of young filmmakers and empowering them to continue their creative journeys through support…