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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.
