Egyptian documentary Life After Siham to premiere at Cannes Festival
Director Namir Abdel-Messeeh returns to Cannes 13 years after debut with a poignant tribute to his late mother
CAIRO, Egypt (MNTV) — The Egyptian documentary Life After Siham, directed by Namir Abdel-Messeeh, will screen at the 78th Cannes Film Festival, reported Ahram Online News.
It was selected for the ACID section, which runs parallel to the official competition from 13 to 24 May.
The film explores Abdel-Messeeh’s personal journey through grief following the death of his mother, Siham. In an effort to preserve her memory, the director turns to cinema as a means of commemoration and emotional restoration.
What begins as a tribute gradually evolves into a deeper exploration of love, legacy, and the enduring connection between mother and son.
Life After Siham also features Abdel-Messeeh’s father and the emotional complexity of their relationship, capturing the filmmaker’s transformation from mourning to meaning-making through the act of filmmaking.
Writing on Instagram, Abdel-Messeeh expressed gratitude for the film’s inclusion at Cannes, noting that it marks his return to the festival 13 years after his debut feature The Virgin, the Copts and Me premiered in 2011.
The director’s previous works include the short films You, Waguih (2005) and Something Evil (2005), alongside his aforementioned feature debut.
Founded in 1993, ACID is a French film directors’ association that promotes the distribution of independent films in cinemas and encourages dialogue between filmmakers and audiences.
Each year, 15 member directors of the association select films that are often underrepresented, with the aim of supporting their theatrical release.
Other selections in this year’s ACID programme include Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk, a documentary by Iranian director Sepideh Farsi that follows Gaza photojournalist Fatima Hassouna.
In addition to Life After Siham, another Egyptian film, Aisha Can’t Fly Away Anymore by director Morad Mostafa, will be featured in the festival’s Un Certain Regard section.
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