More About Film
Medhat El Adl noted that he was inspired to create Nutshell from two distinct events. The first was his impression of the film They Shoot Horses, Don't They?, which some might view as an Egyptian adaptation reflecting the American economic crisis of the early 1930s, a time when people were driven to do anything for food. The second inspiration came from witnessing a massive crowd outside a restaurant in downtown Cairo after it announced a promotional giveaway of a car.Nutshell is part of a series of films where El Adl collaborated with Khairy Beshara, evoking nostalgia for the generations of the 1980s and 1990s. This connection secures the film’s place among the classics that El Gouna Film Festival seeks to restore and present in theaters, rekindling memories of a time many viewers wish to revisit.While some may hesitate to relive the tragic story of Nutshell, which features the melodies of the renowned Hamid El Shaeri and the comedic talents of Alaa Wali El Din and Mohamed Henedi—marking the dawn of what would become known as cinema for the youth—the film predicts a revolution of the hungry if conditions persist. The term "nut shell" symbolizes the marginalized individuals whom the upper class deliberately overlooks, as illustrated by the famous song that translates as: "The heart of the nut is cherished, but the “nut shell” is thrown away."An important aspect of Nutshell is its ability to bridge generational gaps in filmmaking, starting with iconic actors like Mahmoud Yassin, followed by Hussein Fahmy, and culminating with the young stars of that period, Henedi and Wali El Din. Thus, the film serves as a dialogue between generations and a discussion about the present of its time, making it an ideal opportunity to reflect on a bygone era in this restored retrospective presentation.