The world premiere of the Egyptian feature film Complaint No. 713317 at the 46th Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF) was met with wide acclaim.
The screening, held at the Grand Theatre of the Egyptian Opera House, was a gala event attended by the film's stars, including Mahmoud Hemida, Sherine, Hana Shiha, Tamer Nabil, Mohamed Radwan, and Gehad Hossam El Din, with families joining the actors on the red carpet.
The event also saw the attendance of CIFF President and actor Hussein Fahmy and celebrated artists such as Laila Elwi, Lebleba, Ilham Shaheen, Basma, and Khaled Selim, among others.
The 80-minute feature centres on a retired couple, Magdy and Sama, in their sixties, who lead a quiet life in their apartment in the historic Maadi neighbourhood.
Their tranquillity is shattered when their refrigerator breaks down, and their search for a fix leads them into a gruelling series of bureaucratic battles with a suspicious maintenance company. The refrigerator’s malfunction quickly transcends a simple domestic issue, becoming a trigger that uncovers deep fissures in their relationship and daily routine.
Director's personal ordeal
During the post-screening discussion, the film's director, Yasser Shafiey, revealed the highly personal and frustrating true story that inspired the film's plot and its unusual title.
Shafiey stated that the idea for Complaint No. 713317 “came from an incident he was exposed to with the exact same details that appeared in the film.”
The director further elaborated: “The name of the film came from a true story that happened to me, and I felt a state of anger because I could not obtain my rights. The complaint carried the number 71, and I repeated it as a reference to the repetition and monotony of the events.”
This revelation underscores the film’s central theme: the frustrating and often demoralizing experience of trying to navigate bureaucratic hurdles as an ordinary citizen. The repetitive nature of the number in the title itself is a symbolic element, “considering it part of the main theme based on repetition,” which the director sought to capture cinematically.
Difficult yet rewarding experience
The film’s lead actor, veteran star Mahmoud Hemida, described the making of the film as a rigorous experience that relied heavily on subtle, internal emotions.
He affirmed that the film offered an exciting experience for him, describing it as one of his most challenging works, stressing that “we went through difficult and strenuous days in the work, but the result was worth it.”
Sherine shared an emotionally charged moment during the discussion, expressing profound gratitude for her co-star, Mahmoud Hemida, who offered extraordinary support after she suffered a serious injury just before filming began.
The director's milestone
The film also marks a significant milestone for its director, Yasser Shafiey. Shafiey is an Egyptian filmmaker whose career began in jewellery design before he moved into directing after studying at the Academy of Arts and the Jesuit Film School.
Shafiey’s short films garnered several accolades, and Complaint No. 713317 is his first feature-length film, representing a major step in his artistic journey.
Cairo International Film Festival
The ongoing 46th edition of CIFF screens more than 100 films across its various sections, many of which are world or regional premieres.
CIFF, established in 1976 and accredited by FIAPF, continues to serve as a vital platform for showcasing Arab cinema and fostering cultural dialogue.
The 46th CIFF continues until 21 November 2025.
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