Egypt returns to Cannes with Morad Mostafa’s Aisha Can’t Fly Away. It is presented in Un Certain Regard at the 78th Cannes Film Festival.
This brutal thriller explores Cairo’s underworld. It centres on a young Somali caretaker, Aisha, living in the marginalized neighbourhood of Ain Shams, home to a large community of African migrants. The violence between Egyptians and the different African groups is ignored by the authorities, leaving the neighbourhood in the hands of gangs. One day, one of them offers Aisha protection in exchange for a favour. But the situation quickly degenerates.
This Egyptian, Tunisian, and French co-production received support from the Doha Film Institute, the El Gouna Film Festival and the Locarno International Film Festival.
Morad Mostafa has written and directed three short films which have been screened at over 300 festivals worldwide. His previous film, I Promise You Paradise, was selected for the 2023 Critics’ Week at Cannes. Aisha Can’t Fly Away is his first feature.
Sources: Semaine de la Critique, Broadcast Pro
