Egyptian documentary, “The Brink of Dreams” (Les Filles du Nil), directed by Nada Riyadh and Ayman El Amir, has awarded at Cannes Film Festival, receiving the coveted L’Oeil d’Or (Golden Eye) prize for Best Documentary.
This significant win marks the first time an Egyptian documentary has claimed the top documentary honor at Cannes. Debuted in the festival’s Critics’ Week section, the documentary impressed audiences and critics alike, garnering rave reviews from publications like Le Monde and Variety.
“The Brink of Dreams” delves into the lives of a group of young girls in a Coptic village of southern Egypt. The documentary follows their courageous rebellion against societal norms as they form a street theater troupe. Fueled by dreams of artistic careers, these girls defy their families and traditional expectations, embarking on a powerful journey of self-discovery and freedom.
The L’Oeil d’Or jury commended the film’s ability to showcase complex struggles with simplicity and beauty. They described it as “a walk in the park” that ultimately reveals the profound challenges these girls face in their fight for freedom.
This year’s L’Oeil d’Or win continues a trend of shared honors. In 2023, the award was presented to two films, “Four Daughters” and “The Mother of All Lies.” Both documentaries went on to achieve international acclaim, with “Four Daughters” receiving an Oscar nomination and “The Mother of All Lies” serving as Morocco’s official entry for Best International Film at the Academy Awards.
Established in 2015, the L’Oeil d’Or prize recognizes exceptional documentaries across various sections of the Cannes Film Festival. This year, 22 films competed for the €5,000 award.
