Released during Eid al-Fitr 2026 (mid-March), Bershama is directed by Khaled Diab and stars Hesham Maged, reuniting the team known for their hit TV series Ashghal Shaqa 1 and 2 (House Duties), broadcast during Ramadan in recent years.
Rated for viewers aged 12 and above, Bershama—which in Arabic means a “cheat sheet” (or a “pill”)—tackles several social issues, particularly Egypt’s education system, highlighting the pressure and stress faced by students and their families during high school final exams.
The story begins on the first day of the Arabic language exam. The students gathered in the exam room are unusual: they are not from Generation Z or Alpha, but adults pursuing their education at home before sitting for exams in person.
Mr. Saad, played by Kamal Abou-Raya, is an upright man of modest appearance who supervises the exam despite a throat injury that leaves him speaking through a tube, giving his voice a high-pitched tone that adds a comedic layer to his character. Suddenly, he collapses and loses consciousness.
The students decide to hide his body at the back of the room to prevent the school administration from discovering his death before the exam ends. From that moment on, the exam hall descends into chaos, as everyone attempts to take advantage of the situation to cheat—yet no one actually knows the answers.
Social representation
Coming from different segments of Egyptian society, each student has a distinct socio-cultural background, yet all share a single goal: to pass the exam at any cost and obtain their certificate.
The characters are vividly drawn, with some breaking away from familiar clichés in Egyptian cinema. The top student, Abdel-Hamid (Hesham Maged), is a conservative young man who fiercely opposes cheating, driven by his moral and religious principles, putting him at odds with his peers.
Helela, the mayor’s son (Moustafa Gharieb), defies the stereotype of the spoiled child. Instead, he is marked by extreme naivety, which becomes a constant source of unintentional comedy. His father, portrayed by Bassem Al-Samra, tries every possible illegal method to help him succeed, many of which lead to absurd situations, such as using microphones installed in the school to relay answers or even resorting to AirPods. Yet all his efforts fail.
Faten, meanwhile, is a dancer who attends the exam with her baby. She dreams of changing her profession to secure a better future for her child, which requires obtaining her high school certificate in order to work abroad.
Abdel-Hamid also endures the taunts of Haggag, a former prisoner played by Hatem Salah, who maintains a humorous tone despite embodying traits typically associated with a hardened criminal. Two additional female characters complete the picture: an elderly, ill woman played by Arefa Abdel-Rasoul, far from fragile and determined to pass the exam to secure a higher pension; and Zeinab, a young woman oppressed by her brother, who tries to force her into marriage instead of allowing her to sit the exam. Her story is moving, yet the director still places her in comedic situations, including a scene in which she smokes a drug-laced cigarette offered by the dancer.
These seemingly contradictory traits highlight the deeply human nature of the characters. Each embodies a blend of weakness and strength, reflecting the paradoxes inherent in every individual.
Mechanics of the closed setting
The film unfolds over a single day, entirely within the confines of an exam room in a rural school, employing a huis clos (closed door) technique. More precisely, the action spans the two hours of the exam, never leaving the classroom or the school grounds.
This rural, modest setting creates a relatable atmosphere in which a wide audience can see themselves. The director establishes a fast-paced rhythm through quick cuts between characters and sequences, enhancing the comedic effect. The use of a natural daytime setting in an old rural school adds authenticity, while the confined classroom space generates a sense of tension and realism.
Bershama sheds light on the flaws of Egypt’s education system, critiquing a society that places greater value on certificates than on knowledge. The central conflict—between moral integrity and personal interest—ultimately resolves in favour of Abdel-Hamid’s principles, as he succeeds in preventing cheating.
This resolution is made possible by the unexpected recovery of Mr. Saad, who resumes his supervisory role. The message is clear, yet subtly conveyed through comedy: integrity prevails, even in the most chaotic circumstances.
____
This article was originally published in Al-Ahram Hebdo (French) on 22 April 2026. Translation and additional edit: Ahram Online
Short link: