Feature Documentary
TOTAL BUDGET
US $316.000
CONFIRMED FINANCING
US $69.000
CONTACT
sameh_gamal@figleafstudios.com
This turning point eventually reached the Syrian workers, and despite the start of the sea season (the season of riding the waves of the Mediterranean Sea in search of European lands), as called by the refugees.
It is happening now as it was in all of her stage›s since her baptism till nowadays, the city of Alexandria considered Seductive and false transit station for a both kinds of passengers, for whom stayed till the everlasting , or whom they left her with a repercussion not less than the everlasting presence, this days Alexandria labyrinth›s are tempting a new comer - a Syrian refugee - .
The Shami House restaurant in Alexandria represents a study sample of the lives of Syrian refugees in Egypt. The film follows the daily life of the restaurant, which leads to disclosing what hides behind the façade of familiarity. The restaurant’s workers often say that Egypt is a temporary crossing point on their journey; however, other signs show that their presence in Alexandria is in fact a turning point.
Is Egypt, the country that can barely accommodate its own people, really the destination of these transients? Is it a crossing point or a turning point?
This turning point eventually reached the Syrian workers, and despite the start of the sea season (the season of riding the waves of the Mediterranean Sea in search of European lands), as called by the refugees.
Alexandria is considered one of the most important transit cities for refugees crossing from neighboring and African countries to Europe. This is when I started to pay attention to my position amidst the transients as I was living in the so-called transit life even though I was born in this city –Alexandria-. With the passing of time, and with the gradual arrival of refugees, I began to notice their presence through the Syrian dialect that never fades away. However, the meeting of Syrians this time was done from behind a curtain that isolates them from communicating with the Egyptian people who are known for their curiosity about expatriates, especially Arabic speaking expatriates with whom they can communicate easily. The Syrian refugees piqued the Egyptian people’s curiosity more than their predecessors, as they had been used to witnessing Libyan tourists in Alexandria, followed by Iraqi refugees. The arrival of Syrians, however, resulted in emotional indifference.
The motivation began with the desire to make a film about the life of Syrian refugees in Egypt, but later took on a different course with regards to the film industry that tackles the suffering of Syrian refugees and the prevalent international dialogue during these days.
However, through close observation and the increase of temporary transit stories and escape plans across the sea, a new field of research was revealed that transcends the past of the film’s characters, and moves towards the observation of a life on the edge without a supporting centre.
Since the graduation from Faculty of Commerce, Alexandria University in 2012, Pursued studies of drama and film-making. Chosen to participate «El-Hamra» Drama Science Program in Tunisia 2013 - where participants from over 16 MENA Region and Africa countries participated for 3 years under the authority of Professor Ezz Aldin Ganoun.
Graduated From CineDelta Documentary film school 2016 . A one year program funded by EU. Member of Fig Leaf Studios main board in Alexandria, where mainly working as a Director, Writer and Producer. Also focusing on culture management operations as a co – founder of ZAWYA ALEXANDRIA it›s an art house cinema in Alexandria for independent movies. Media Consultant for UN AIDS , The program for MENA Region and North Africa. Lecturer at Jesuite Film School Alexandria.
Fig leaf Video and Audio Productions is a full service, professional production company based in Alexandria since 2005 that can guide a client from concept and scriptwriting to shooting, editing and broadcasting. Figleaf also supports independent, low budget production and considers independent cinema as a driving force for future cinema production in Egypt and the whole world. Fig Leaf utilises its professional capabilities to cooperate, help and guide either independent artists or organisations supporting them in enriching Egyptian independent filmmaking. Fig Leaf Studio is not a production company with the common definition but it›s a huge network between Artists Curators Writers Directors Musicians and Cultural Managers nationally and internationally working together on international projects since 2005 , growing up the network inside Egypt and outside.