In the village of Barsha in Minya Governorate, Upper Egypt, a group of girls forms a theater troupe to perform in the streets. Over four years, The Brink of Dreams, directed by Ayman El Amir and Nada Riyadh, follows these girls, exploring their diverse dreams and how their personalities evolve over time—both drawing closer to and drifting away from those aspirations.For some Egyptians, girls acting is considered undesirable. Adding street performances in one of Upper Egypt’s most conservative villages makes what these girls are doing an act of exceptional courage. Considering the ideas they present in their performances, our appreciation for them doubles.The film, which won the Golden Eye Award at the Cannes Film Festival, dedicates significant runtime to introducing the girls and their theater project while showcasing some of their performances. In these performances, we see them addressing issues such as: a girl’s choice of a life partner, freedom to choose clothing, and other topics. As a documentary, the directors do not control the characters or their destinies; instead, life’s drama plays a role akin to that of a skilled screenwriter. We witness each girl facing a different fate—some strive to hold on to their art, while others find their lives dictate their paths.Though reality is not always rosy for women and girls in Egypt, The Brink of Dreams presents these challenges in a gentle, nuanced way, avoiding preaching or emotional manipulation and without demonizing opposing views. Yet, despite this, it offers an ending that carries a sense of hope.Andrew Mohsen