Johanna Domke und Marouan Omara
The Goethe Institut in Downtown Cairo is hosting a collection of German and Arabic films this week, from features to documentaries. The organisers have selected the films to be shown around two main themes: the latest German films and documentaries, and cinematic works that show the different kinds of exchange that are generated in a space of cultural exchange.
The organisers have divided the program into special screenings, features and documentaries and each night two films will be screened, with a repeat of one of the films the following afternoon at 4 pm.
In the programme a few films are highlighted as unmissable, starting with the film Berlin Telegram, shown last night on the opening night. The press kit describes the film as a “musical road-movie that travels to Brussels, Berlin, Lisbon and Cairo” following Leila, a woman abandoned by her lover.
The second entrance that comes highly recommended is Coming Forth by Day, Al-Kheroug Lel-Nahar, by Egyptian filmmaker Hala Lotfy. Lotfy tells the story of Soad, who cares for her bedridden father and lives with her parents in Cairo. The film follows Soad on a typical day, showing how her life has become about caring for her father instead of building a life of her own.
Crop is a documentary made by Johanna Domke and Marouan Omara. Crop follows a photojournalist from Al-Ahram newspaper, who was in a hospital during the 25 January revolution, once he goes back to work after the country has changed. The documentary is entirely filmed inside the Al-Ahram building and features the journalist’s commentary on past events.
All the films during the festival will be in English or will have English subtitles and attendance is free of charge. The Goethe Film Week will end on 31 March.
