Lebanese Director Sarah Francis Wins Cairo Film Festival's Top Honor for Haunting Marital Drama

Lebanese director Sarah Francis won the Saad Eldin Wahba Award for best Arabic film at the Cairo Film Festival's Horizons of Arab Cinema Competition for her marital drama "Dead Dog." The film, anchored by intimate performances from Chirine Karameh and Nida Wakim, was a quietly devastating portrayal of a complex relationship. Francis spoke to reporters ahead of the closing ceremony, stating that the film's focus on silence and the emotional nuances of the characters was a deliberate choice. "I wanted to explore the ways in which people communicate, or don't communicate, in a relationship," she explained. "It's a very quiet film, but it's not a quiet story. It's a story about the things that are left unsaid, and the ways in which that can be both powerful and destructive." Karameh, who had stepped away from acting for years, found the project to be an unexpected artistic re-entry. She later won the best actress award at the Next Generation Awards, presented during Cairo Industry Days. "Working on 'Dead Dog' was a really important experience for me," Karameh said. "It allowed me to tap back into my passion for acting, and to explore the complexities of the human experience." The film's focus on small stories and everyday relationships is a hallmark of Arab cinema, according to Francis. "In many ways, Arab cinema is about telling the stories that are often overlooked or ignored," she said. "It's about exploring the complexities of everyday life, and the ways in which people navigate the challenges of their communities." The Cairo Film Festival, which ran from November 17 to 22, highlighted the importance of preserving and showcasing Arab cinema. The festival featured a range of films, including Egyptian classics that have been restored as part of a larger archival effort. Hussein Fahmi, the festival's director, set a vision for the future of Arab cinema, emphasizing the need for greater diversity and representation. The film "Dead Dog" has already begun to make waves in the film industry, with its quietly devastating portrayal of a complex relationship resonating with audiences. As the film continues to gain recognition, it is clear that Francis's work will be an important contribution to the world of Arab cinema.