Five Arabic films set to open in cinemas in the UAE and Egypt during Eid Al Fitr
Cinemas in the UAE and Egypt haveincreased their offerings for Eid Al Fitr this week.
This season’s biggest films will give a major boost to the Egyptian industry.
Two movies being screened this week were completed last year, but had their release dates delayed owing to the coronavirus pandemic.
Cinemagoers can expect a comforting dose of the familiar with action star Ahmed El Sakka, while comedians Ahmed Helmy and Mohamed Henedy return with new features.
Here are the films to watch in cinemas this week in the UAE and Egypt:
‘Ashbah Europa’
It is a case of better late than never for this thriller. Completed and originally scheduled to be released over Eid Al Fitr last year, the film was delayed owing to the second wave of Covid-19 sweeping through the Mena region.
The film’s title translates to “The Ghosts of Europe” and is a psychological tale about Lili (played by popular Lebanese singer and actress Haifa Wehbe) giving birth to sextuplets, only to realise her husband has sold three of them behind her back to make ends meet.
Distraught, Lili sets off on a global mission to find her missing children. The film has a strong Egyptian cast, including Bayoumi Fouad and Ahmad El Fishawi.
‘Zombie Ala Janbi’
Translated as “Zombie Beside Me”, the comedy has Egyptian actor Ali Rabee playing the frontman of a band.
After a particularly raucous village gig, the band’s car breaks down and the terrified group come face to face with a zombie who puts them through their paces.
‘Wahed Tany’
Popular Egyptian comedian Helmy stars in an ensemble comedy about second chances.
The story follows the travails of Mustafa, a prison counsellor falling into apathy because of career stagnation. Inspired by a friend, he begins to find the joy in life again.
‘Elankabot’
This is another film that had its premiere pushed back a year owing to the pandemic. Action man El Sakka returns in a darker role in this thriller, as he plays The Spider, a criminal whose ambitions have spiralled out of control and who is now on the run from the authorities. The film also stars Mona Zaki and Dhafer
L’Abidine. It is currently scheduled to be screened in Egyptian cinemas only.
‘El Gawahergy’
Comedian Henedy has reunited with Mona Zaki on the big screen for the first time in 20 years.
Translated to “The Jeweller”, the film is a domestic comedy with Henedy playing a respected gem dealer who finds his reputation shattered owing to his topsy-turvy relationship with his wife. The film’s screening is currently limited to Egyptian cinemas.