Prestigious Cannes Competition; Egyptian Film Earns a Pickup

CANNES, FRANCE — A groundbreaking documentary highlighting the experiences of young, disenfranchised Coptic Christian women in Egypt has been selected for Critics' Week at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival. The film, titled "Rafaat Einy ll Sama" (On the Brink of Dreams), offers a unique window into the lives of these women as they form an all-female theatre troupe, navigating their way through societal challenges.

Directed by the Egyptian duo Nada Riyadh and Ayman El Amir, the documentary was filmed over a span of four years, capturing the personal and collective journey of these young women. It is among the 11 films chosen for this year's Critics' Week—a competition dedicated to directors making their first or second films. This segment of the festival has historically been a platform for emerging directors, helping to launch the careers of internationally renowned filmmakers like Britain's Ken Loach and France's Julia Ducournau.

Coptic Christians, who make up a significant minority in Egypt, with an estimated six to 11 million members, often face discrimination and are underrepresented in public life relative to their population. The documentary sheds light on these challenges while also celebrating the resilience and creativity of the women who strive to make their voices heard through theatre.

The 77th Cannes Film Festival, which began on Sunday, will continue until May 25, offering a stage for new and veteran filmmakers alike to showcase their work to a global audience. "Rafaat Einy ll Sama" stands out as a poignant testament to the power of art as a form of resistance and self-expression, bringing critical attention to the often-overlooked struggles of Coptic Christian communities in Egypt.