Ahmed Nabil, documentary filmmaker, Alexandria, Egypt

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  • Home
  • Bio
  • 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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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.

1 Comment
Bentley H link
18/3/2021 15:56:47

Nice blog post.

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