A still photo from Egyptian feature film "Poisonous Roses" that competes at the Malmö Arab Film Festival
The Malmö Arab Film Festival (MAFF) is kicking-off its 8th edition in the Swedish city between 5 and 9 October, honoring Egyptian cinema with two movies screened in the opening and the closing nights, in addition to two other films.
"Egyptian cinema has been one of the most important cultural tributaries that have shaped the thoughts of millions of Arabs over generations in more than a century," stated the MAFF on their official website praising the "huge heritage" of the Egyptian cinema, calling it '"the oldest cinema in the Arab world, and even the planet."
The MAFF added that they are "keen to ensure that the Egyptian cinema is strongly present in all the activities and programs of this year’s edition."
A still photo from Egyptian feature film Induced Labor
The Egyptian feature film Talq Senay, or Induced Labor, will be screened on the opening night while Karim El Shenawy's Eyar Nari, or Gunshot, will be screened on the closing night.
The 2017 production Induced Labor features a famous cast including Horeya Farghaly, Maged Elkedwany, Abdelrahman Abo Zhra, Sayed Ragab, Mostafa Khater, Mai Kassab and Bayoumi Fouad.
The film tells the story of an expecting Egyptian married couple who have desperately dreamed of getting a visa to the U.S. and come up with a hilarious idea to storm into the U.S. Embassy in Cairo and give birth on its premises.
A still photo from Egyptian feature film Gunshot
Starring Ahmed El-Fishawy, and Ruby and Mohamed Mamduh, Gunshot follows a mysterious murder that connects the destinies of the protagonists and changes their beliefs about the concept of truth.
Gunshot is written by Haitham Dabbour and is director Karim El-Shenawy's debut feature-length film after a series of award-winning short films.
A still photo from Egyptian feature film Photocopy
The MAFF will also screen another two Egyptian feature films; Photocopy, directed by Tamer El-Ashry, and Kiss Me Not, directed by Ahmed Amer.
A still photo from Egyptian feature film Kiss me not
Egyptian film Poisonous Roses, directed by Ahmed Fawzi Saleh, is participating in the long feature competition, while Noha Adel's Into Reverse competes in the short.
Directed by Lebanese Reem Saleh, What Comes Around is competing in the long documentary category while Youssef Nasser's Sculpting In Time and Mohammad Homouda's Manicure are competing in the short.
"The festival also organized a seminar about the issues of Egyptian cinema. Moreover, we are honored this year to host prominent Egyptian stars and filmmakers," said a festival statement.
MAFF was founded in 2011 by general manager and artistic director Mouhamad Keblawi, and grew to become one of the largest Arab film festivals and platforms for Arab culture in the world.
The event is the largest film festival in southern Sweden, which also includes exhibitions, workshops, seminars, and celebrations.
It will screen around 120 feature films, documentaries, and short films.
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