Following the traces “Clash” left at last year’s Cannes Awards, “Ali, Me’za, w Ibrahim” (Ali, the Goat, and Ibrahim) is the only Egyptian film competing at Cannes Junior Screenings, along with seven other international films.
The section’s jury members are the students of the French Gérard Philipe School in Cannes. The students are aged 13 to 15, and the competition focuses on presenting films that re-introduce the civilisation of the production country of each film in a new way.
The film tells the story of Ali, who was born and raised in a rough neighbourhood, before he travels across Cairo with Ibrahim based on the recommendation of a psychic after interpreting the voices he hears in his head. Their journey turns into a voyage of friendship and self-discovery.
“Ali, the Goat, and Ibrahim” stars Ali Sobhi and Ahmed Magdy, alongside Salwa Mohamed Aly and Nahed El Sebaie.
The film’s world premiere took place last December at the Dubai International Film Festival, in which the film competed within the Muhr Feature competition; actor Ali Sobhi was awarded the Best Actor Award for his role.
Directed by Sherif El Bendary, “Ali, the Goat, and Ibrahim” is written by Ahmed Amer, based on Ibrahim El Batout’s story, and is produced by Mohamed Hefzy’s Film Clinic, Hossam Elouan’s Transit Films, and the French film production company Arizona Productions, with the participation of Egypt, France, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar.
The film also took part in the Mons International Love Film Festival in Belgium, besides its participation in the 19th Rendez-Vous with French Cinema in Paris (January 12-16). The film won various prizes in the development and post-production phases, including three during its participation in the Final Cut Workshop at the Venice International Film Festival.
