Basra

Synopsis:

Cairo, March 17, 2003. The US- UK strike against Iraq is imminent. How can an Egyptian photographer, in his thirties, surpass his own disappointments & fears? How can he find an answer to the existential questions related to life, death, sex and logic amidst his awareness of all the absurdity around him? Can this artist remain alive (breathing, thinking, and photographing) surviving the oppressive atmosphere? Or is he going to collapse with the fall of Baghdad?
  • Written and directed by: Ahmed Rashwan
  • Director of Photography: Victor Credi
  • Editing: Nadia Hassan
  • Music by: Sherif El Wesseimy
  • Art director: Wessam Arafa
  • Sound Mix : Ibrahim  Desoky
  • Producer: Ahmed Rashwan
  • Executive Production Company: Dream Production
  • Produced by: Reelfilms Productions

Cast:

  • Basem Samra
  • Eyad Nassar
  • Yara Goubran
  • Nahed El Sebai
  • Mohamed Al-Ahmady
  • Fatma Adel
  • Christine Solomon

Festivals and Awards

  • The script had awarded second award – Alexandria Film Festival
  • Also the project was granted from Global film Initiative
  • Best Cinematography award ( Victor Credi) : Mostra de Valencia Film Festival – Spain
  • Best Screenplay award , Arab Competition, Cairo International Film Festival – November 08
  • Best Director ( for First film ) – National Film Festival – Cairo – April 09
  • 3rd production Award – National Film Festival – Cairo – April 09
  • Best Actor ( Basem Samra) –Arab Film Festival- Rotterdam – June 09
  • Special mention – supporting actress ( Fatma Adel ) – Arab Film Festival- Rotterdam – June 09
  • Jury Award for Best long film – Arab film Festival – Brussels – November 09(BASRA) was screened in:
  1. Mostra de Valencia Film Festival – Spain- October 2008
  2. Sao Paulo International Film Festival – Brazil – October 08
  3. Cairo International Film Festival –Arab Competition – November 08
  4. Pan African Film Festival ( FESPACO)– Burkina Faso – March 09
  5. Cape Winlands International Film Festival–South Africa–March 09
  6. Sousse International Film Festival – Tunisia – March 09
  7. 15th  National Film Festival – Cairo  – Egypt – April 2009
  8. Arab Film Festival- Rotterdam – June 09

Gallery