What is the "Life After Siham" documentary about?

The "Life After Siham" documentary is an autobiographical hybrid-documentary by Franco-Egyptian filmmaker Namir Abdel Messeeh that explores his personal journey following the death of his mother and the illness of his father.

How has the "Life After Siham" documentary been received?

The "Life After Siham" documentary has received acclaim, winning the El Gouna Star Award for Best Arab Documentary at the 2025 El Gouna Film Festival in Egypt. It has also screened at prestigious festivals like Cannes, IDFA, Turin, and Marrakech.

Why is the screening of "Life After Siham" at the Cairo International Film Festival significant?

The screening of "Life After Siham" at the Cairo International Film Festival is significant because it marks a homecoming for director Namir Abdel Messeeh, whose parents were forced into exile in France in the 1970s. The film's screening in Cairo allows Messeeh to bring his parents' story back to their homeland.

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Exiled Egyptian Filmmaker's Acclaimed Documentary Brings Parents' Story Home

16 Nov

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Summary

Autobiographical hybrid-doc "Life After Siham" screens at Cairo Film Festival
Film explores director's personal journey after mother's death and father's illness
Utilizes archive footage from legendary Egyptian filmmaker Youssef Chahine

Exiled Egyptian Filmmaker's Acclaimed Documentary Brings Parents' Story Home

The autobiographical hybrid-documentary "Life After Siham" by Franco-Egyptian filmmaker Namir Abdel Messeeh is currently screening at the 2025 Cairo International Film Festival, after previously receiving development support at the 2021 Cairo Film Connection. The film, which had its world premiere at the ACID section of the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, has since gone on to screen at several other prestigious festivals, including IDFA, Turin, and Marrakech.

Produced by Messeeh's production company Oweda Films, in co-production with Paris-based Les Films d'Ici, the film explores Messeeh's personal journey following the death of his mother and the illness of his father. Incorporating archive footage from legendary Egyptian filmmaker Youssef Chahine, the film has been praised for its intimate and universal exploration of grief, memory, and the power of cinema.