The Gouna Film Festival has announced that the Egyptian film "Khorog Aman" will be part of the long film competition at its ninth edition, taking place from October 15 to 23 in Gouna, Egypt. This inclusion is part of the festival's ongoing efforts to provide an international platform for Arabic-language films. The film, written and directed by Mohamed Hammad, tells the story of Seman, a young Coptic security guard in his building in central Cairo.
Seman spends his nights writing stories and chasing his dream of publishing his first novel. Beneath his apparent calmness, Seman suffers from chronic post-traumatic stress disorder after witnessing his father's murder by an extremist group during his childhood. One day, Seman meets a young woman, and their simple encounter quickly turns into an exceptional friendship that begins to dismantle the walls he built around his trauma.
Andrew Mohsen, the artistic director of the Gouna Film Festival, expressed his excitement about including "Khorog Aman" in the competition, praising the film's accurate and realistic portrayal of its characters. Mohsen highlighted that the film addresses several ideas that make it one of the most mature Egyptian films recently seen. The film is produced by Khaled Saad and stars Marwan Walid and Noura Ahmed.
Mohamed Hammad, the writer and director of the film, explained that Seman represents a generation of young people who lost their fathers in violent events that occurred in the Arab region over the past decade. These events left behind a generation suffering from chronic trauma, and Hammad wondered if there is a "safe exit" for them after what happened.
The film had its world premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival in February and its Asian premiere at the Shanghai International Film Festival in June. It was also nominated for the Best Screenplay award at the Asia Pacific Film Awards. The Gouna Film Festival's inclusion of "Khorog Aman" provides an opportunity for Egyptian filmmakers with different and bold visions to showcase their work.
The selection of "Khorog Aman" for the Gouna Film Festival's long film competition is a significant recognition of Egyptian cinema. The film's participation in several international festivals highlights its potential to resonate with global audiences. The Gouna Film Festival continues to play a crucial role in promoting Arabic-language films and providing a platform for emerging filmmakers.
The ninth edition of the Gouna Film Festival is expected to attract a large audience and provide a unique cinematic experience. With "Khorog Aman" as part of the competition, the festival is set to showcase a diverse range of films that reflect the richness and complexity of contemporary Egyptian cinema.
Key points
- The Egyptian film "Khorog Aman" has been selected for the long film competition at the 9th Gouna Film Festival.
- The film tells the story of a young Coptic security guard struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder.
- The film has already been screened at several international festivals, including Berlin and Shanghai.
