"Rafaat einy ll sama The Brink of Dreams" (Lifting My Eyes to the Sky): A Triumph at Cannes
The Egyptian film "Rafaat einy ll sama The Brink of Dreams" (translated as "Lifting My Eyes to the Sky"), directed by Nada Riyadh and Ayman El Amir and produced by Flouka Films, has clinched the prestigious **Golden Eye Award** for Best Documentary Film at the **77th Cannes International Film Festival**. This remarkable achievement marks the first time an Egyptian film has won this esteemed award since the festival's inception.
**Synopsis**
The documentary follows an all-female, all-Coptic theater troupe as they challenge their traditional backgrounds. Set against the backdrop of their small village, the film sheds light on pressing issues such as early marriage, domestic violence, and girls' education. These resilient young women harbor dreams that reach beyond the sky.
**Critical Acclaim**
"Rafaat einy ll sama The Brink of Dreams" received a warm reception during its world premiere at the Critics' Week competition in Cannes. The film garnered praise from local, Arab, and international critics, earning accolades from major global publications like Le Monde, Variety, and Screen Daily.
**The Creative Team**
- **Directors**: Nada Riyadh and Ayman El Amir
- **Cast**: The film features talented actresses from the Panorama Borsa theater group, including Magda Masoud, Heidi Sami, Monica Youssef, Marina Samir, Mariam Nassar, Lydia Haroun, and Youstina Samir.
- **Production**: Flouka Films
**Filming Location**
The picturesque village of Barsha in Minya Governorate hosted the film's production team over several years, capturing the essence of rural life and the resilience of these young performers.
**Previous Works by the Directors**
Nada Riyadh and Ayman El Amir previously showcased their short narrative film "Fakh" (The Trap) at Cannes in 2019. Their documentary "Nihayat Sa'ida" (Happy Endings) was also screened at the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA) in 2016, one of the world's largest and most significant documentary film festivals.
**Behind the Scenes**
- **Executive Producer**: Mohamed Khaled
- **Assistant Directors**: Hames El Balshi and Dahy Hamdi
- **Cinematographers**: Dina El Zainy, Ahmed Ismail, and Ayman El Amir
- **Sound Recording**: Mustafa Shaaban, Sameh Nabil, Osama Gebil, and Shadwi Ali
- **Original Score**: Ahmed El Sawy
- **Editing**: Veronique Lagoarde-Segot, Ahmed Magdy Morsi, Ayman El Amir, and Nada Riyadh
- **Public Relations (Egypt and the Middle East)**: Carrots PR (Marwa El Sawy)
- **Costume Coordination**: Nada Hossam, in collaboration with Mystic, La Blanca, Cache, Indira, and Rana Ghazy Jewellery.
"Rafaat einy ll sama The Brink of Dreams" is not just a film; it's a powerful testament to the strength of storytelling and the resilience of those who dare to lift their eyes to the sky¹.
