“Snow White,” an Egyptian film featuring a lead actress with dwarfism, is set to screen at the Red Sea International Film Festival on December 9th and 10th.
The film, produced by ChiaroScuro Film Productions, marks a significant step in global cinema by showcasing a woman with dwarfism in a leading role, tackling the daily challenges and societal perceptions surrounding dwarfism within Arab societies.
The film follows Iman, played by Mariam Sherif, as she navigates the complexities of love, marriage, and societal expectations.
The narrative focuses on Iman’s pursuit of a romantic relationship, highlighting the obstacles she faces due to prevailing beauty standards. Her journey includes using online dating in an attempt to transcend the limitations of her daily life. Simultaneously, she grapples with supporting her sister’s own marital aspirations.
Directed by Taghrid Abouelhassan, the film blends light drama with realistic portrayals of Iman’s experiences. The cast also includes Mohamed Mamdouh as Amad, Mohamed Gomaa, Khaled Sarhan, Safwa, and a special appearance by Karim Fahmy.
“In the film, Iman represents the strong-willed Egyptian woman who strives to achieve her life goals,” said Taghrid Abouelhassan, film director and co-founder of ChiaroScuro Film Productions. “Our message is to reconcile with oneself and accept others because even if this ‘other’ person looks different, we all share the same human needs and desires. Our film is not just a work of art, but also a tool to highlight real social issues and stimulate discussions on topics that society often avoids addressing or finding solutions for.”
Mohamed Agamy, film producer and co-founder of ChiaroScuro Film Productions, added, “We believe that our culture is full of stories worth telling—stories that society often overlooks, whether they concern marginalized groups, minorities, or underrepresented issues. What distinguishes our films is that we are constantly trying to search for and present new artistic talents, and we strive to develop their skills through acting workshops so that they can deliver their roles professionally and authentically, just like our heroine Mariam Sherif did. Through this artwork, ChiaroScuro encourages the audiences to think differently.” He also expressed gratitude to the cast, crew, and partners involved in the film’s production.
“Snow White” is a significant project for ChiaroScuro Film Productions, representing a continuation of their commitment to producing humanistic films with a strong cultural focus. This follows their co-production of “Chronicles of Her,” which received funding from UNESCO, the European Union, UN Women, and the Royal Film Commission – Jordan and garnered six international awards and fourteen nominations. “Snow White” itself has already received international acclaim, winning the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Award in 2020 and the International Emerging Film Talent Association (IEFTA) Award at the Cairo International Film Festival. It was also selected for the “American Film Showcase” at the El Gouna Film Festival in 2019.
