‘Ferkesh [Live]': Top Egyptian Music Video Directors on Building Visua

'Ferkesh [Live]': Top Egyptian Music Video Directors on Building Visua
SceneNoise and Mazra'a Network, in collaboration with Red Bull, kicked off the first edition of Ferkesh [Live] at the French Institute in Mounira. The event brought together a focused circle of filmmakers, directors, and artists to reflect on the visual direction of Egypt's music scene—how it's being shaped, and who's shaping it.
At the core of the evening was a panel discussion moderated by Youssef Mansour (founder and director of Mazra'a Network for Art and Culture). Directors Marwan Tarek, Mazen Bayoumi, and Zeina Aref broke down their working methods, revealing a process that's often less about chasing spectacle and more about negotiating form, limitations, and intent.
Marwan Tarek, whose credits include El Waili and Kaim Osama's Nazlet Seman, described his approach with quiet clarity: the music comes finished, and the video builds from there. 'In music videos, it's different,' he said. 'I treat the track like a script. The artist has already completed their creative process, the sound is locked. So the question becomes: how do you see the track?' For Tarek, directing isn't just interpretation, it's construction. 'If you gave the same track to five different directors, you'd get five entirely different videos.'
A cinematographer by training, Mazen Bayoumi, who's shot videos for Nour (Nogoum, Wana), Dirty Backseat, and Felukah, Bayoumi doesn't always begin with a concept, sometimes he just puts the track on loop and waits for it to unlock something. 'You listen and listen until images start showing up,' he said. 'Sometimes it's a flicker, sometimes it's a dead end. But one day, you hear it differently. And that version, that hearing, that's the one that sticks.' For Bayoumi, ideas aren't found so much as tripped over.
Then there's Zeina Aref, a multidisciplinary artist, photographer, and director, who describes a slightly more grounded but no less poetic view of the process. Her collaborations with Ma-Beyn and Massar Egbari often feel stitched together with raw fabric: grainy, intimate, unvarnished. 'My favorite part is the craft,' she said. 'The early dreaming phase, building the story, drawing it out with the team.' But then, like a sudden cut to static: the budget hits. 'And all our ambitions get thrown in the trash.' You could hear the collective exhale from the crowd, filmmakers know this beat too well. And yet, Aref insists that these limitations don't just destroy dreams, they reshape them. 'That part where everyone's ideas meet the real world? That's where the actual magic can happen. If it's going to work, it has to work there.'

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Egypt Today

3 hours ago

• Egypt Today

Egyptian documentary MEMOIRS OF M.A. DRAZ screens exclusively at London's Aga Khan Library

Following its successful release in Egypt, screening at Cairo's Goethe and French Institutes as well as Zawya cinema, the highly acclaimed Egyptian documentary MEMOIRS OF M.A. DRAZ by Maggie Morgan will be screened exclusively at London's Aga Khan Library on June 24th at 5 pm. The event will be attended by several noteworthy individuals, including the Egyptian ambassador to London and his wife, the consul general and his wife, producer Noha El Kholy, and the grandchildren of M.A. Draz. MEMOIRS OF M.A. DRAZ is a poignant documentary that delves into the extraordinary life of Azharite scholar Mohamed Abdallah Draz. After decades of his passing, his great-granddaughter uncovers a treasure trove of letters, diaries, and photographs that piece together the life of a man she had only known through childhood stories. The film explores themes of education, equality, and the importance of preserving cultural heritage, showcasing Draz's progressive views on gender equality long before the rise of feminism in the Middle East while also taking viewers on a journey from Draz's humble beginnings in Mahallet Diyay to his scholarly pursuits in Paris, highlighting his commitment to providing equal opportunities for both his daughters and sons. Days after the release of the film at Cairo's favorite indie cinema, Zaywa Cinema, the Egyptian documentary MEMOIRS OF M.A. DRAZ soon became the talk of the town, with critics highly praising it, including esteemed Egyptian film critic Mahmoud Abd El Shakour, who hailed it as 'one of the best films of the year in terms of idea, structure, and topic.' MEMOIRS OF M.A. DRAZ world premiered at the eighth Aswan International Women Film Festival, where it won the Rasheeda Abdelsalam Special Jury Award and the Euro-Mediterranean Award. Elevating the documentary to an unforgettable cinematic experience, the film has garnered critical acclaim for its hauntingly beautiful narration by actor Sedky Sakr and the evocative musical score by Khaled Al Kammar. Directed by Maggie Morgan and co-written alongside Taghreed El-Asfoury, MEMOIRS OF M.A DRAZ was produced by Noha El-Khouly; lensed by Amgad Reyad, Olivier Dury, Emad Nabil, and Akram Mamdouh; and edited by Amgad Shafik and Tamer Abdullah.

Egypt Today

5 hours ago

• Egypt Today

Karim Shaaban's 'Ya Hammam' — Upper Egypt Folklore meets the Digital Underground

Egyptian director and creative force Karim Shaaban has just launched his latest musical project, "Ya Hammam,' now available on YouTube, radio, and all digital streaming platforms. The song is distributed by Digital Sound. This unique track blends Egyptian folklore with electronic music, drawing from Karim's deeply personal and emotional vision of Egypt. The song also opens his short film "I DON'T CARE IF THE WORLD COLLAPSES", which had its world premiere at the 2024 Cleveland International Film Festival, marking a seamless artistic fusion between sound and image in building a singular world. In crafting "Ya Hammam", Karim collaborated with artists Sayed Rekaby and Fadi Garas. Together, they fused the rich vocal tones of Upper Egypt's Jaafari folkloric tradition with contemporary electronic soundscapes, resulting in a sonic experience that seamlessly merges nostalgia with modernity. The music video for "Ya Hammam", directed by Karim Shaaban himself, bears the signature visual language that has defined his previous works — a portrayal of Egypt as he experiences it. The short film "I DON'T CARE IF THE WORLD COLLAPSES", starring actress Salma Abu Deif, explores the quiet yet intense conflict that arises when professional obligations collide with personal emergencies. Rather than dramatizing the struggle, the film reflects on it subtly and introspectively. This introspective vision is also evident in Karim Shaaban's debut feature film "6 Days", starring Ahmed Malek and Aya Samaha, and written by Wael Hamdy. The film takes the form of a silent visual diary, expressing Karim's artistic philosophy that true beauty lies in fleeting, often overlooked moments. Whether through the song "Ya Hammam", the film "6 Days", or his latest cinematic work, Karim Shaaban continues to present Egypt through a deeply personal and singular lens.

See - Sada Elbalad

5 hours ago

• See - Sada Elbalad

Egypt's Culture Min. Welcomes Sir Magdi Yacoub Ahead of Tribute Ceremony, Statue Unveiling

Ali Abo Dashish - Ahmed Emam Egypt's Minister of Culture, Ahmed Fouad Hennou, welcomed world-renowned heart surgeon Sir Dr. Magdi Yacoub ahead of a special ceremony organized by the Ministry to honor him and unveil the details of a commemorative statue titled 'The Doctor of Hearts.' The statue, created by renowned Egyptian sculptor Essam Darwish, is a tribute to Sir Yacoub's exceptional contributions to medicine and humanitarian work. Minister Hennou expressed his deep pride in hosting the tribute, emphasizing that the event reflects Egypt's recognition of its distinguished citizens who have elevated the country's name on the global stage. He highlighted the crucial role of culture and the arts in immortalizing scientific and humanitarian icons, ensuring their legacy lives on in the national consciousness. He further noted that the creation of the statue is part of a broader cultural and artistic initiative with strong national significance. 'The statue stands as a symbol of gratitude and appreciation for a medical journey defined by compassion, dedication, and integrity,' he said. Minister Hennou affirmed the Ministry's continued support for initiatives that spotlight national role models and promote values of respect and inspiration. He also underscored the importance of such efforts in motivating younger generations and fostering a deeper sense of national belonging. read more New Tourism Route To Launch in Old Cairo Ahmed El Sakka-Led Play 'Sayidati Al Jamila' to Be Staged in KSA on Dec. 6 Mandy Moore Joins Season 2 of "Dr. Death" Anthology Series Don't Miss These Movies at 44th Cairo Int'l Film Festival Today Amr Diab to Headline KSA's MDLBEAST Soundstorm 2022 Festival Arts & Culture Mai Omar Stuns in Latest Instagram Photos Arts & Culture "The Flash" to End with Season 9 Arts & Culture Ministry of Culture Organizes four day Children's Film Festival Arts & Culture Canadian PM wishes Muslims Eid-al-Adha News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks Videos & Features Video: Trending Lifestyle TikToker Valeria Márquez Shot Dead during Live Stream News Shell Unveils Cost-Cutting, LNG Growth Plan Technology 50-Year Soviet Spacecraft 'Kosmos 482' Crashes into Indian Ocean News 3 Killed in Shooting Attack in Thailand