The Egyptian art film “Abdo and Saneya” will make its world premiere at the Red Sea International Film Festival, featured in the prestigious Arab Spectacular segment.
This modern black-and-white silent film, blending classic cinematography with gritty contemporary storytelling, follows the journey of an Egyptian peasant couple navigating life as immigrants in New York. The pair, in search of a cure for infertility, struggle to adapt to an unfamiliar culture and language.
Written, directed, and starring Omar Bakry as the titular Abdo, the film is a co-production between Egypt and the USA. Bakry, a Swedish-born, Egyptian-raised filmmaker, painter, and playwright, studied directing in New York at the School of Visual Arts and the New York Film Academy.
The role of Saneya is played by Cairo-born actress Inji El-Gammal, who grew up in Paris and studied drama therapy at the New School in New York. El-Gammal, known for her award-winning performance at the New York Theatre Festival, previously starred alongside Bakry in his 2014 film “His Man.”
The cast also includes Haythem Noor, Kathleen Regan, Clara Francesca, and Guy LeMonnier, adding to the film’s diverse talent lineup.
“Abdo and Saneya” is the sole Egyptian entry in the Arab Spectacular, a segment celebrating the richness of Arab storytelling. Other films in this category include “Front Row” (Algeria, France, and Saudi Arabia) by Merzak Allouache, and three Saudi productions: “Hobal” by Abdulaziz Alshlahei, “Lail Nahar” by Abdulaziz Almuzaini, and “My Friend and I” by Ahd Kamel.
The fourth edition of the Red Sea International Film Festival will run from December 5 to 14, taking place at its new location in Jeddah’s historic Al-Balad district, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
