
Morad Mostafa, Ziad Zaza & the Aisha Can't Fly Away Crew Bring Cairo Cool to Cannes
On the Riviera but rooted in Cairo spirit — director Morad Mostafa, rapper Ziad Zaza, producer Sawsan Moustafa, and the electric cast of Aisha Can't Fly Away light up Cannes with bold style, raw energy, and the unmistakable edge of Egyptian cinema.
In a standout moment, Ziad Zaza channels film history by striking the iconic pose of the late legendary director Youssef Chahine at Cannes — a tribute wrapped in swagger.
Aisha Can't Fly Away, the gripping debut from Egyptian director Morad Mostafa is featured in the prestigious Un Certain Regard section.
The film is a raw, emotionally charged portrait of a 26-year-old Somali woman navigating refugee life in Ain Shams.
Aisha Can't Fly Away doesn't just tell a story—it builds a world of resilience, identity, and survival.
With powerful performances from Buliana Simona, Emad Ghoneim, Mamdouh Salah, and rapper Ziad Zaza, Aisha Can't Fly Away proves Egypt's cinematic voice is not just rising—it's roaring.

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Al-Ahram Weekly
2 hours ago
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Lubna Abdel-Aziz.: An ageless muse - Culture - Al-Ahram Weekly
The American University in Cairo (AUC) recently commemorated the 90th birthday of the iconic actress, Al-Ahram Weekly columnist, and former Miss AUC, Lubna Abdel-Aziz, with a special event held at the Ewart Memorial Hall on 8 August. Organised in partnership with the cultural series Arwah Fil Madina (Souls in the City), the talk was open to the public and offered a heartfelt tribute to Abdel-Aziz's personal and artistic journey. Arwah Fil Madina was launched over two years ago by Mahmoud Al-Tamimi through the cultural initiative 'Cairo Is My Address,' in collaboration with several cultural institutions, and is dedicated to preserving Egypt's national memory through storytelling and cultural heritage. Al-Tamimi, who presented the talk, explored the most significant phases of Abdel-Aziz's life and career, drawing connections between her films and the historical events that shaped Egyptian society during her era. The celebration also features a week-long photo exhibition at AUC's Legacy Gallery, showcasing posters from Abdel-Aziz's most celebrated films. A highlight was the unveiling of a statue by sculptor Hani Gamaleddin, portraying Hamis, the Pharaonic character Abdel-Aziz famously played in the film Bride of the Nile. With genuine humility, Abdel-Aziz expressed her joy and gratitude to her guests, saying, 'I am happy I turned 90.' Among those attending were close friends, art lovers and notable figures such as art critic Tarek Al-Shennawi, who praised Abdel-Aziz's spontaneous acting during the golden age of Egyptian cinema. Former health minister Amr Helmi also travelled from the North Coast to attend the event. Visual artist Farid Fadel, whose portrait of Abdel-Aziz was on display at the AUC exhibition, performed a Mexican song on stage called A Heavenly Sweetheart as an expression of his love for her. Al-Tamimi shared personal anecdotes, inviting Abdel-Aziz's brother, Ihab Abdel-Aziz, to recall their childhood memories, including the summer tradition of their father bringing home a collection of books that fostered her lifelong love of reading. Sculptor Gamaleddin spoke about how Abdel-Aziz's distinctive Pharaonic features, which inspired his creation of the Bride of the Nile bust. Film director Ali Idris, who worked closely with Abdel-Aziz on her film Geddo Habibi (My Beloved Grandpa) in 2012, reflected on their close professional and personal relationship. In 2021, Abdel-Aziz published her autobiography, Lubna: Story of a Free Woman, named after one of her most famous films, Ana Horra (I Am Free), co-written with Rose Al-Youssef journalist Heba Mohamed Ali, who was also present at the celebration. The evening concluded with remarks from Nadine, a longtime colleague at Abdel-Aziz's radio programme The Children's Corner with Aunt Lulu, which she has hosted for over 60 years. Nadine highlighted Abdel-Aziz's continued dedication to the show, inspired by children's literature and her late husband Ismail Barada, a musician who played piano alongside her on the programme before moving to the United States to complete his studies. Abdel-Aziz has been writing the weekly column Limelight for Al-Ahram Weekly since 2007, following her return to Egypt after many years in the US. Her earlier journalism career began while studying there, writing for Al-Ahram initially in English, with her articles translated into Arabic by her father, Hamed Abdel-Aziz, himself an Al-Ahram staff member. Al-Tamimi announced plans to publish a compilation of her Limelight translated into Arabic for the benefit of a wider Egyptian readership. Born in Cairo in 1935, Abdel-Aziz was educated at St Mary's School for Girls and later at the American University in Cairo. She earned a Fulbright scholarship to pursue a master's degree in drama at UCLA. Her artistic journey began at the age of ten, performing on the radio programme Children's Corner in Cairo. During her studies in the US, she worked as a correspondent for Al-Ahram and, on returning to Cairo, became a writer and editor for the newspaper. Her film debut came with The Empty Pillow, starring alongside Abdel-Halim Hafez, after which she starred in 15 Egyptian films. In addition to her film career, Abdel-Aziz enriched Egyptian radio with several programmes. She was married to producer Ramses Naguib then to Barada, with whom she had two daughters. Barada passed away after over 40 years of marriage. Abdel-Aziz's life and career continue to inspire generations. * A version of this article appears in print in the 21 August, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:


Al-Ahram Weekly
8 hours ago
- Al-Ahram Weekly
TikTok to livestream Grand Egyptian Museum opening - Tourism
Egypt has signed an agreement with TikTok, naming the global platform the official digital partner for the opening ceremony of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), slated for 1 November. The partnership was signed by United Media Services (UMS)—a campaign partner of Egypt's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities—and the global video-sharing platform on Thursday. In a statement, UMS said the partnership is designed to showcase Egypt's cultural heritage to a global audience through a series of innovative digital initiatives. It added that the step underscores Egypt's growing emphasis on using digital platforms to promote cultural tourism and enhance its global profile. In addition to the live broadcast, the collaboration will include interactive experiences such as Night at the Museum, which will see international content creators explore the GEM outside official working times, guided by experts, and share their tours with millions of followers in real time. Other features include a customized GEM-themed filter, virtual gifts inspired by ancient Egyptian artefacts, and a CapCut template encouraging users to create content that presents Egypt's story in a modern, engaging format. The statement noted that the initiatives aim to blend heritage with technology, ensuring the museum's opening resonates with younger, digitally native audiences across the globe. Tarek Makhlouf, Managing Director of UMS, described the agreement as part of the company's broader effort to strengthen Egypt's cultural visibility on the world stage. Egypt was recently ranked first globally for having the 'Richest History,' according to the 2025 US News Survey. Largest Archaeological Museum The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), located near the Giza Pyramids, is the largest archaeological museum in the world dedicated to a single civilization. Spanning nearly 500,000 square metres, it is designed as Egypt's flagship cultural landmark for the 21st century and a global hub for heritage, education, and tourism. The museum will showcase over 100,000 artefacts spanning from prehistoric times to the Greco-Roman period. At its heart lies the complete collection of Tutankhamun's treasures—more than 5,000 items—presented together for the first time since their discovery in 1922. Visitors will also encounter monumental statues, royal mummies, and objects that illustrate Egypt's rich contributions to science, art, and daily life across the ages, all anchored by the striking 3,200-year-old colossal statue of Ramses II that dominates the museum's central atrium. The GEM is expected to welcome between 5 million visitors annually, once fully operational, reinforcing Egypt's position as a premier global cultural destination. As part of a broader development plan for the Giza Plateau, the project is complemented by upgraded infrastructure and enhanced visitor services to create a seamless cultural and tourism experience. Positioned as a "gift from Egypt to the world," the museum embodies the country's commitment to preserving its heritage while embracing digital innovation and fostering international cultural diplomacy. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:


Al-Ahram Weekly
11 hours ago
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Egypt signs deal with TikTok to livestream Grand Egyptian Museum opening - Tourism
Egypt has signed an agreement with TikTok, naming the global platform the official digital partner for the opening ceremony of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM). Under the deal, the event, slated for 1 November, will be streamed live on TikTok. The partnership was signed by United Media Services (UMS)—a campaign partner of Egypt's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities—and the global video-sharing platform on Thursday. In a statement, UMS said the partnership is designed to showcase Egypt's cultural heritage to a global audience through a series of innovative digital initiatives. It added that the step underscores Egypt's growing emphasis on using digital platforms to promote cultural tourism and enhance its global profile. In addition to the live broadcast, the collaboration will include interactive experiences such as Night at the Museum, which will see international content creators explore the GEM outside official working times, guided by experts, and share their tours with millions of followers in real time. Other features include a customized GEM-themed filter, virtual gifts inspired by ancient Egyptian artefacts, and a CapCut template encouraging users to create content that presents Egypt's story in a modern, engaging format. The statement noted that the initiatives aim to blend heritage with technology, ensuring the museum's opening resonates with younger, digitally native audiences across the globe. Tarek Makhlouf, Managing Director of UMS, described the agreement as part of the company's broader effort to strengthen Egypt's cultural visibility on the world stage. Egypt was recently ranked first globally for having the 'Richest History,' according to the 2025 US News Survey. Largest Archaeological Museum The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), located near the Giza Pyramids, is the largest archaeological museum in the world dedicated to a single civilization. Spanning nearly 500,000 square metres, it is designed as Egypt's flagship cultural landmark for the 21st century and a global hub for heritage, education, and tourism. The museum will showcase over 100,000 artefacts spanning from prehistoric times to the Greco-Roman period. At its heart lies the complete collection of Tutankhamun's treasures—more than 5,000 items—presented together for the first time since their discovery in 1922. Visitors will also encounter monumental statues, royal mummies, and objects that illustrate Egypt's rich contributions to science, art, and daily life across the ages, all anchored by the striking 3,200-year-old colossal statue of Ramses II that dominates the museum's central atrium. The GEM is expected to welcome between 5 million visitors annually, once fully operational, reinforcing Egypt's position as a premier global cultural destination. As part of a broader development plan for the Giza Plateau, the project is complemented by upgraded infrastructure and enhanced visitor services to create a seamless cultural and tourism experience. Positioned as a "gift from Egypt to the world," the museum embodies the country's commitment to preserving its heritage while embracing digital innovation and fostering international cultural diplomacy. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link: