Egyptian documentary ‘Memoirs of M.A Draz' to premiere in London
The film follows Mohamed Abdallah Draz's path from his humble beginnings in Mahallat Diyay to his academic pursuits in Paris, portraying him as a forward-thinking scholar who advocated for equal opportunities for his daughters and sons long before feminism took root in the Middle East.
The Egyptian documentary Memoirs of M.A. Draz, directed by Maggie Morgan, is set to make its international debut at the Aga Khan Library in London on June 24 at 5 PM. The screening will be attended by a host of notable guests, including the film's producer Noha El Kholy, members of the late scholar's family, and the Ambassador of Egypt to the United Kingdom.
The documentary tells the story of Azharite scholar Mohamed Abdallah Draz through letters, diaries and photographs found by his great-granddaughter, Noha El-Khouly. It follows his life from his humble beginnings to his studies in Paris and his progressive views on equal opportunities for his daughters.
Narrated by Sedky Sakr and scored by Khaled Al Kammar, the film has been lauded for its emotional depth. Directed by Morgan and co-written with El-Asfoury, it was produced by El-Khouly, with MAD Distribution handling regional sales and MAD World managing international distribution.
Maggie Morgan, a filmmaker and academic, shared her inspiration for the film, and said it was born from personal stories shared by El-Khouly about her grandfather, Sheikh Draz, and the rich history they uncovered. The film not only highlights Draz's scientific achievements but also his lasting social and cultural legacy.
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