The female members of an Egyptian street theatre troupe, depicted in an award-winning documentary film, expressed their desire to challenge societal perceptions of women’s roles in their rural village.
“The Brink of Dreams” made history as the first Egyptian documentary to win the Golden Eye award at the Cannes Film Festival in May. Directed by Nada Riyadh and produced by Ayman El Amir, the film narrates the story of “Panorama El Barsha,” a street theatre ensemble founded in the Minya region, located south of Cairo, in 2014.
El Amir mentioned that the filmmakers had come across the troupe during their travels. “The show deeply inspired us as they consistently addressed topics relevant to their community, such as the significance of education, domestic violence, and early marriage, in a deeply personal manner,” he stated in an interview in Giza. “They actively engaged with the audience, although the response was not always positive; nevertheless, they persevered.”
According to the Arab Weekly website the documentary was filmed over a span of four years, capturing the experiences of Coptic Christian girls as they conveyed their message through public performances in a village where men traditionally hold power, opportunities, and freedom.
Magda Masoud, one of the troupe members, shared, “Even when my brothers saw me standing outside the home, they used to tell me to go inside, saying it’s immoral or that I shouldn’t speak or laugh. I felt that we are not born for this. So, we started to perform, discussing what we reject in our village.”
“The Brink of Dreams” debuted at the Cannes Film Festival in May and is scheduled to be shown in theatres throughout Egypt, where it has garnered acclaim. According to Haidi Sameh, a member of the film’s troupe, “A girl has freedom, has an opinion, and has the right to speak, dream, travel, and learn.”
The film also received recognition in Egypt, with Riyadh noting, “Girls in southern Egypt are strong; they have opinions, character, and a real desire to overcome big challenges.” The film aims to convey the message that being a girl should not limit voices or choices.
