Acclaimed Italian director Ilaraia Borreli’s feature film ‘The Goat’ (2023) is set to captivate Egyptian audiences as it graces Cairo’s silver screens on September 18th.
This cinematic gem, which has garnered widespread acclaim and multiple awards on the international festival circuit, is poised to make a profound impact on the Egyptian film landscape.
Since its debut at the Rome Film Festival, followed by a standing ovation at the sixth El Gouna Film Festival, ‘The Goat’ has garnered rave reviews from esteemed international journalists and film critics.
Nick Vivarelli of Variety aptly described the film as ‘a rare, if not unique, case of Arab Production,’ commending its courageous exploration of a seldom-addressed theme within Arab cinema.
“The Goat” received a plethora of awards including:
- Best Original Story at the Swedish International Film Festival (SIFF) 2023
- Best Women’s Film at the Fourth Dimension Independent Film Festival 2023
- Best Film on Women, Best International Feature Film, and Best Women Director at the INDO French International Film Festival 2023
- Best Actress, Best Screenplay and a Special Mention at the Life Beyond Life Film Festival 2023
- Best of Show at the Female Eye Film Festival 2024
- Best Director at the Toronto International Women Film Festival 2024
- Best Indie Film at the Miami Women Film Festival 2024.
Additionally, the film won two awards at the Tokyo International Cinema Awards 2024 for Best Cinematographer and Best Actress, as well at the Boston Indie Film Festival 2024 for Best Cinematographer and Best Youth Actress.
Following its screening as part of the Rome Film Festival’s Alice Nella CITTA competition, marking a historic first for Egyptian cinema, the producers of ‘The Goat’ have announced that the proceeds from the Rome screenings will be generously donated to the Action Aid foundation to support children in need.
This 90-minute desert adventure, filmed entirely in the oasis of Siwa, is a daring exploration of a seldom-addressed theme in Arab cinema.
It narrates the poignant journey of Hadya, a pregnant orphan who embarks on a perilous desert adventure with her faithful animal companion in search of her missing father. Her quest is fueled by a desperate attempt to escape the clutches of a ruthless western corporation seeking to exploit her village’s sole water source.
A collaborative effort between Egypt, France, Italy, Lebanon, and the US, ‘The Goat’ is a co-production by Agora Media Production (Egypt), Domedo Productions (France), Orange Media and producer Oscar Generale (Italy), Cedars Art Production (Lebanon), and Pantheon Entertainment (US), with the generous support of Italy’s Ministry of Culture.
The film boasts a stellar cast, featuring renowned international actors like Mira Sorvino and John Savage alongside prominent Egyptian stars Amr Saad, Sayed Ragab, Nelly Karim, and Fathy Abdel Wahab.
The ensemble is further enhanced by the remarkable performance of 11-year-old Jessica Hossam.
