‘Ward Masmoum’ to represent Egypt at the Oscars

CAIRO – 6 September 2019: Egypt nominated ‘’ Ward Masmoum’’ (Poisonous Roses) movie for acting in the best foreign film competition at the upcoming Academy Awards scheduled to take place in 2020.

‘’Ward Masmoum’’ was awarded the audience award for Best Foreign Film from the Diorama International Film Festival in India.

The film was premiered at the 2018 International Rotterdam Film Festival, and has been shown in over 20 international film festivals.

The movie revolves around Saqr, who dreams of a better life beyond his tannery job in the slums, but his strong love for his sister ties him to the same place.

"Poisonous Roses" stars Mahmoud Hemeida and Merihan Magdi; it is written and directed by Ahmed Fawzi Saleh.

Saleh is an Egyptian screenwriter who was born in 1981. In addition to being a talented filmmaker, he is a human rights activist and a graduate from the Cairo Film Institute's screenwriting department.

His experience in film making includes co-writing several documentary films and directing the short film "Mocha" (2006). In 2008, he was an assistant director to Palestinian filmmaker Rashid Masharawi.

"Poisonous Roses" is Saleh's first feature film. ‘’Ward Masmoum’’ won three awards at the Cairo International Film Festival; Best Arab Film Prize and Salah Abu Seif Prize at CIFF's Horizons of Arab Cinema Competition, and the United Nations Population Fund award.