El Gouna Film Festival Celebrates Cinema with 'Egyptian Cities Embracing Cinema' and 'Mohamed Bakr: 60 Years of Cinema' Exhibitions

 

"Egyptian Cities Embracing Cinema" is a multimedia exhibition curated by Shereen Farghal, powered by CDD and supported by Sawiris Foundation. The idea was inspired by filmmaker and author Marina Ibrahim, who participated in CineGouna Emerge program last year. She is the daughter of the Egyptian researcher Ibrahim Messiha, who conducted extensive studies on Egyptian cities portrayed in films, examining how these locations enriched the cinematic narrative and how the camera immortalized these cities, turning them into iconic settings ingrained in the audience's imagination.

 

Director and producer Marianne Khoury, the artistic director of El Gouna Film Festival, quickly embraced the concept. In line with the festival’s mission to explore new horizons in cinema, the exhibition shines a spotlight on the cinematic role of Egyptian cities, showcased through video clips curated from over 50 films.

 

The exhibition aims to document the cinematic history of these cities, underscoring that outdoor film locations are not mere backdrops but integral elements of the narrative and visual storytelling. It highlights how these cities have shaped the identity of Egyptian films and how the films, in turn, have enhanced artistic narratives by choosing locations that bring each city's cultural and historical richness to life.

 

Key cities in Egyptian cinema take center stage, including Fayoum, Luxor, Aswan, the Canal cities, the Oases, the Red Sea, Sinai, Alexandria, Marsa Matrouh, and Cairo. The exhibition reveals how these cities have not only influenced the aesthetic identity of Egyptian cinema but also how films have deepened cultural storytelling by embedding each city’s unique history and character into the narrative fabric.

 

On her role in the exhibition, Sherine Fraghal said "I am honored to be part of the 'Egyptian Cities that Embraced Cinema' exhibition. As a technical supervisor and cinematic scenery designer, I have long felt the need to emphasize cinema's role in preserving Egypt’s visual identity. Through my experience, I’ve come to see that each cinematic shot of an Egyptian location serves as a visual document, telling the story of our history and urban development. This exhibition is a golden opportunity to convey this message. Beyond its artistic and cultural impact, cinema is a rich visual archive that preserves Egypt's beauty and authenticity for future generations. The exhibition showcases how seven iconic cities were not mere backdrops but active partners in shaping cinematic stories, deeply influencing their aesthetics. By revisiting excerpts from films by celebrated directors and production companies, we can appreciate how the architectural styles and unique character of each city left an indelible mark on screen, creating a cinematic heritage and a documented visual identity."

 

The second exhibition, "Mohamed Bakr: 60 Years of Cinema," also presented at El Gouna Film Festival and curated by Photopia, acts as a natural extension of the first. The exhibition features over 100 cinematic photographs by Mohamed Bakr, the dean of Egyptian cinematographers, selected from more than 2,000 films that Bakr has captured since 1956. The showcase spans six decades, from the 1960s to the 2000s.

 

"Mohamed Bakr: 60 Years of Cinema" will include photographs from films shot in the seven regions highlighted by curator Shereen Farghal in the "Egyptian Cities Embracing Cinema" exhibition, forging a unique link between the two showcases. This first-of-its-kind collaboration offers festival attendees an immersive cinematic journey. El Gouna Film Festival is honoring Bakr, in collaboration with Photopia, with the legendary photographer himself attending the festival's 2024 edition.

 

Commenting on his exhibition, Mohamed Hassan Bakr remarked, "Visitors will feel the emotion in every frame. I always aimed to merge photography with cinema, capturing movement in still shots, as though you're watching a film. I took multiple shots of stars like Shadia, Faten Hamama, with her angelic face, and the iconic Soad Hosny. Her innocent features fascinated me, and I would take more than 20 different shots, each capturing a distinct character. The variety in form and content sets this exhibition apart from my previous work."

 

Marianne Khoury expressed her excitement, stating: "Seeing this exhibition come to life fills me with immense joy. It all started with a conversation during last year’s CineGouna 'EMERGE' program, where a participant mentioned her father’s extensive research on Egyptian cities that embraced cinema." She added, "The idea was met with great enthusiasm, and in no time, we were able to assemble all the elements needed to make this exhibition part of this year’s El Gouna Film Festival. It has been an incredible opportunity to rediscover Egyptian and international films through the lens of cities where filming locations became as significant as the characters themselves, reminding us that Egypt boasts some of the world’s most extraordinary cinematic backdrops."

 

Sarah Bissada, Deputy Executive Director of El Gouna Film Festival, shared her excitement: "I am thrilled to host both exhibitions, ‘Egyptian Cities Embracing Cinema’ and ‘Mohamed Bakr: 60 Years of Cinema,’ at this year’s festival. It’s a wonderful opportunity to highlight the profound role Egyptian cities have played in shaping the world of cinema, and how these cities have left their mark on cinematic identity. I am equally excited to honor the legendary photographer Mohamed Bakr, who has captured the history of cinema through his lens for decades, adding layers of depth and beauty to the festival's experience." She added, "I am proud to present these events, which celebrate the rich heritage of Egyptian cinema, and we look forward to offering the audience a visually stunning experience."

 

Marwa Abou Leila, Executive Director of Photopia, explained that the idea for the exhibition "stemmed from a meeting with Amr Mansi, where we discussed hosting a photography exhibition focusing on Egyptian cinema." She continued, "A new dimension was added when we collaborated with Shereen Farghal’s exhibition, which celebrates the key cities that served as backdrops for major Egyptian films. During this process, we discovered that Mohamed Bakr had documented some of the films selected by Shereen Farghal, which will be exhibited separately in Bakr’s showcase. This unique collaboration links the two exhibitions, offering a one-of-a-kind cinematic experience for El Gouna Film Festival attendees."

 

About Mohamed Hussein Bakr:

 

Born on June 30, 1937, Mohamed Bakr began his career assisting his father, the renowned photographer Hussein Bakr, during his studies in the early 1950s. His first professional photograph was for the 1956 film "Samara."

 

Bakr’s career took off when he started working with director Hasan El-Saifi under the mentorship of cinematographer Wahid Farid. From there, he built a storied career in cinematography, shooting around 80% of Egyptian films from 1956 to the present day. In 1975, he established his own film production team and has since become one of Egypt's most prolific cinematographers. Bakr also maintains an extensive archive of his father’s work, dating back to the 1933 film “Al Warda Al Beda” (The White Rose).

 

Regarded as the dean of Egyptian cinematographers, Bakr has worked in the industry for more than 60 years, capturing over 1,000 films. His vast collection spans Egypt’s cinematic history, from black-and-white classics to modern productions, and his lens has captured not only iconic scenes on film but also the stories unfolding behind the scenes. He has documented a wide array of stars, politicians, cultural figures, athletes, and scientists.

 

About Ibrahim Messiha:

 

A historian, film critic, and member of the Egyptian Writers Union, Ibrahim Messiha conducted groundbreaking research on Egyptian cities and regions featured in films. His research, which began in 2003, started with cataloging films shot in Fayoum, his hometown, since the earliest days of cinema. Over time, his research expanded to include other regions, such as Luxor, Aswan, Alexandria, Marsa Matrouh, Cairo, the Canal cities, Sinai, the Red Sea, and the Oases. He relied on a wide array of sources to confirm these films' shooting locations and his work included behind-the-scenes insights into the filmmaking process.

 

One of Messiha's key findings was that cinema had often "discovered" locations that would later become renowned tourist destinations, such as Wadi El-Rayan’s waterfalls in Fayoum, which gained popularity through their appearances on screen.

 

Cairo Design District (CDD), the festival’s official art and design partner, introduces a modern concept that presents, for the first time in Egypt, a fresh and creative approach to art across various fields namely fashion, culture, culinary arts, management, entertainment, and hospitality. CDD is envisioned as a vibrant creative hub for innovators in all fields, located in the heart of New Cairo.

 

Sawiris Foundation (SFSD), was founded in 2001 by the Sawiris family, and stands as one of Egypt’s foremost philanthropic foundations. With a commitment to innovative and sustainable solutions, SFSD has consistently worked to address Egypt’s most pressing social and economic challenges, including initiatives and numerous arts and cultural programs.

 

 

About the El Gouna Film Festival: 

 

The El Gouna Film Festival is one of the most significant festivals in the Middle East, aiming to present a diverse selection of films to a passionate and enthusiastic audience. The festival seeks to enhance cultural exchange through cinema and connect filmmakers in the region with their international counterparts to encourage cooperation and cultural exchange. It is committed to discovering new cinematic voices and aims to be a catalyst for the development of cinema in the Arab world, particularly through the "El Gouna Cinematic Platform," its industrial arm dedicated to supporting and developing film projects.