Ahmed Nabil, documentary filmmaker, Alexandria, Egypt

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  • Filmography
    • Growing Distance
    • Collapsing
    • Weeping
    • The Trip
    • A Bird on the Bridge
    • 17 Fouad Street
    • The City Will Pursue You
    • Hoda and Marika
  • Commissioned Films
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    • Villa El Gazayerli
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The detention of Mohamad El-Hadidi

1/1/2018

29 Comments

 
Kindly scroll down for updates

​1 January 2018
​I would like to thank everyone who reached out for information about the situation of my close friend Mohamad El-Hadidi during the past couple of days. It is confirmed that El-Hadidi is currently detained for four days after being arrested by police forces outside of Alexandria court last Saturday, 30 December 2017. It is also confirmed that he was there to attend the public sentence hearing of the recent case of the lawyer Mahienour El-Massry.
El-Hadidi is a photographer, DOP, filmmaker and producer. He is one of the most eminent figures in the filmmaking society in Alexandria. He is also the co-founder of Rufy's Films and the producer of my last two documentaries. 
Disregarding the difficulties of the last two nights, many of El-Hadidi's family members, friends and admirers have hopes of his release soon. However, your prayers and vigilance are much solicited and sought for.

Picture
Mohamad El-Hadidi in a cinematic talk in September 2017.

2 January 2018 - Update #1 
In a surprising turn of events, the investigations into the incident have suddenly been turned into a court case. The case was looked into this morning in front of an emergency National Security court and the verdict has been postponed until the judge hears the testimony of the officer who claimed that Mohamad El-Hadidi, and two others, were aggressive with the police forces.
The postponement means one more week of detention for El-Hadidi who happened to be among the crowd in front of the courthouse on Saturday 30 December 2017 as previously mentioned. The postponement also puts the career of El-Hadidi in a critical situation as he has been recently selected to take part in two important cinematic events in Europe during 2018.
His first feature fiction film project "The Last Night" has been recently selected to represent Egypt in the annual lab for French speaking filmmakers Meditalents. The Facebook page of the respected French Mediterranean institution has announced its selection this afternoon. In addition to that, Mohamad was selected to be part of this years Berlinale Talents, the prestigious annual summit and networking platform of the Berlin International film festival. The Talents are very strict with their selection each year and they invite only 250 creatives from allover the world. Both the Berlinale and Meditalents are interested purely in the art of Cinema and creative talents, not political activists or individuals who can be a threat to "national security".
I call upon our friends to spread the word about the developments of the story of El-Hadidi as much as possible. I ask those who have personal connections to media providers to offer help for more exposure and guarantee of transparency regarding his case.
Picture
El-Hadidi, far left, during the last El Gouna Film festival.

9 January 2018 - Update #2 
This morning witnessed the announcement of a not-guilty verdict for Mohamad El-Hadidi and his two colleagues which means an acquittal from all charges. We expect El-Hadidi to be released tonight or tomorrow. 
On behalf of myself, and many of his friends and family members, I would like to thank all the supporters of Mohamad's case during the past nightmarish eleven days. 
Now we can celebrate the new year :)
​

11 January 2018 - Update #3 - Closure 
He is out.
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29 Comments

Brownbook magazine article.

22/5/2017

1 Comment

 
Quite grateful for the entire team who worked on this feature in Brownbook. You can download the full PDF using the link by the end of of the article or in here.
1 Comment

The prophecy of Sameh Nabil

18/4/2016

1 Comment

 

The first time I was pushed to think of myself as a "documentary" filmmaker was during a work trip in Siwa oasis in 2010. On that trip I was working on a short documentary about the visit of a set of school students to the oasis and there exploration of the traditions there. I was accompanied by a friend of mine who helped me with recording sound while shooting. His name is Sameh Nabil. During one of the short breaks while shooting, Sameh mentioned that I should consider working more with the documentary medium. I remember he said something related to my "persistence for research". This was quite enlightening for me. Later on I thanked him several times for this revelation.

Picture
Sameh Nabil in Siwa

In 2011, I moved with Sarah to Arles, France, for six months. It was an important experience for us. When we were back by the beginning of September I had an idea for a feature documentary already quite developed in my mind. The idea behind the "The City Will Pursue You" was born within this period. I called home Mohamad El-Hadidi and told him about the project, and he decided to support me as a producer, DOP and later on even as a character in the film himself.
On the other hand Sameh was the main sound recorder on set for over four years of shooting. We never had a contract with him. It was as simple as calling him and fixing a date.
I owe Sameh a lot. But most importantly I owe him the positive energy of his prophecy in 2010.

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