The Egyptian film 'In the Name of Galeela' is set to premiere at the 56th International Film Festival Rotterdam in January 2027. Directed by Mohamed El Zayat, the film tells the story of a young man who recruits his neighbors to help him lie to his blind grandmother about her pilgrimage to Mecca. The film explores themes of family, faith, and deception, and is described as a blend of absurdist drama, surrealism, and humor.
The film's premise is based on the central obligations of Islam, particularly the Hajj, which is a journey to Mecca that many families save for years to undertake. In the film, the father of the young man has run away with the family's savings, leaving them without the funds for the Hajj. The young man and his neighbors convince his grandmother, played by Sawsan Badr, that she is still going on the pilgrimage. Badr is one of Egypt's most respected screen actresses, with a career spanning decades.
The cast of 'In the Name of Galeela' also includes Taha Desouky, who plays the young man, and Gihan El Shamashergy. Desouky is a younger performer with recent credits in television series such as 'Siko Siko' and 'El Soffara'. The film's director, Mohamed El Zayat, is a newcomer to feature-length filmmaking, having built his career in advertising with agencies such as BBDO and McCann Worldgroup.
'In the Name of Galeela' spent 11 years in development and is one of the few Egyptian entries in the festival's first announcement. The film will compete in the Bright Future section for debut filmmakers, which showcases emerging voices in cinema. The section also includes other films such as 'Kids Go Free' and 'Portrait of a Young Criminal'.
The 56th International Film Festival Rotterdam runs from January 28 to February 7, 2027, and 'In the Name of Galeela' is among the first 10 world premieres announced for the Bright Future and Harbour sections. The full program is due to be announced on December 16. Vanja Kaludjercic, the festival's director, said that cinema is at its most exciting when it challenges our expectations.
Distribution plans, a release date, and a trailer for 'In the Name of Galeela' have not yet been announced. For now, the film's first audience will be in Rotterdam. The film's selection in the Bright Future section makes it a natural fit for showcasing emerging voices in cinema.
The film's themes of family, faith, and deception are central to its narrative, and its blend of absurdist drama, surrealism, and humor makes it a unique addition to the festival lineup. With its premiere at the Rotterdam Film Festival, 'In the Name of Galeela' is set to introduce audiences to the work of Egyptian director Mohamed El Zayat.
Key points
- The film explores themes of family, faith, and deception in a 1990s Egyptian setting.
- The film is directed by Mohamed El Zayat, a newcomer to feature-length filmmaking.
- The film will compete in the Bright Future section for debut filmmakers at the 56th International Film Festival Rotterdam.
