Filmmaker's bold vision: 'Safe Exit' defies Egyptian censors

Mohammed Hammad's new film, "Safe Exit," is set to premiere nationally at the El Gouna Film Festival. The movie previously won an Atlas Prize for Post-production at the 2025 Atlas Workshops and debuted internationally at the 2026 Berlinale. This marks Hammad's highly anticipated follow-up to his 2016 debut, "Withered Green."

The production of "Safe Exit" was entirely self-funded through Hammad's newly formed company, Pariedolia Productions. The filmmaker cited difficulties in securing studio support due to the film's sensitive topics and challenges in obtaining shooting permits. Co-producers include Tunisia's Dora Bouchoucha and Egyptian filmmaker Ibrahim El-Battout.

Hammad revealed that a previous project, "Bullets & Bread," was halted by censors, leading to a period of creative block. Inspired by a director's advice, he began writing "Safe Exit," a film that, despite potential censorship issues, he felt compelled to make to express his artistic point of view.

The film features three distinct main characters: Samaan, a young Coptic man grappling with PTSD after his father's death; Fatimah, a homeless Muslim woman; and Abdullah, an Islamic terrorist. Hammad highlighted the purity of Samaan and Fatimah, exploring their marginalization within Egyptian society.

Extensive rehearsals focused on actor immersion, with nine months of preparation including actors living together and rehearsing in the actual shooting locations. The film's visual style, characterized by a harsh, natural look with added color for Fatimah's scenes, contrasts with Hammad's earlier work. Hammad believes in incorporating humor, even in dark narratives, to keep audiences engaged.