Alwan for the Arts and 3rd i Collaborative Monthly Series

Heliopolis

(Egypt, 2009, 96 min, Arabic with English Subtitles)

Tickets: $10, at box office or online, plus service charge

Ahmed Abdalla’s independent film Heliopolis unfolds in this once-glamorous suburb of Cairo. In one winter day, Abdalla weaves multiple overlapping stories of Heliopolis residents, including graduate student, doctor, hotel receptionist, an elderly Jewish woman, a young policeman and a newly engaged couple. Each story has its own flavor of longing, struggle, and stagnation.

Heliopolis, the suburb, itself can be considered the leading character as well. The film elucidates the diverse history of this one-time multi-ethnic area and the connections between the Egyptian colonialist past and contemporary urban living. Without compromise, apology nor reconciliation, Abdalla permits the audience to experience and become entrenched in Heliopolis and its residents.

Watch Trailer

About the Director:

Heliopolis is Ahmed Abdalla's first feature film. Prior to Heliopolis, Abdalla had been a film editor for over 10 years. Originally trained as a musician, Abdalla longed to be involved in the creative process and then made a career change into film directing. Heliopolis was screened in over nine film festivals, including the Toronto International Film Festival 2009, Vancouver international Film Festival 2009, Thessaloniki International Film Festival 2009, Middle East International Film Festival 2009, and the Marrakech International Film Festival 2009.

DIRECTOR: Ahmad Abdalla
Producer: Sherif Mandour
Editor: Ahmad Abdalla
Screenwriter: Ahmad Abdalla
Cinematographer: Mahmoud Lotfi
Music: Amir Khalaf
Principal Cast: Khaled Abul Naga, Ibrahim Hanan Motawe, Engy Hany Adel, Dr. Hany Atef Yousef

This film series is supported in part by the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council.

Last updated: 2010-06-16 01:05:45