Written and directed by Yasser Shafiey, Complaint No. 713317 is a drama that transforms an everyday domestic problem into a layered exploration of bureaucracy, relationships, and quiet emotional collapse.
The film will screen at IFFR from 29 January to 8 February, marking a significant international step following its acclaimed debut in Cairo.
The story follows Magdy and Sama, a retired couple in their sixties living in Cairo’s Maadi district, whose orderly routine is disrupted when their refrigerator breaks down. What initially appears to be a minor inconvenience escalates into a frustrating battle with a questionable maintenance company, exposing cracks not only in the system surrounding them but also within their own relationship. As the appliance deteriorates, so too does the emotional stability of their lives, revealing tensions long buried beneath the surface.
The film will screen in Rotterdam’s Bright Future section, dedicated to first and second features by emerging filmmakers. The programme is known for spotlighting bold cinematic voices and works that challenge conventional storytelling, reinforcing IFFR’s reputation as a key global platform for independent and innovative cinema.
Shafiey has said the film was inspired by a personal experience after his own refrigerator malfunctioned, leading him through a maze of consumer complaints and unresolved frustration. The film’s title comes directly from the real complaint number he filed, grounding the narrative in lived reality while expanding it into a broader social and psychological portrait.
The film stars Mahmoud Hemida, Shereen, Hana Shiha, Mohamed Radwan, Ali El-Tayeb, Enam Salousa, and Hanan Wasfy, among others.
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