When we listen to songs with powerful messages, we picture the backstory and imagine the reality of that world. That is precisely what Amr Salama, the director, did when he began to dig into the trap music industry and the world of Ziad Zaza. Instead of directing a music video for Zaza’s unreleased song “60 Egyptian Pounds”, he turned it into an excitingly anticipated short film that has left the audience in awe.
The sixth edition of the Gouna Film Festival kicked off this year with an exciting twist: for the first time, a short film was selected as the opening film of El Gouna Film Festival. Salama’s short film stars Ziad Zaza, Tarek El-Deweri, Hamza Diab, and Rawheya Salem.
The film’s storyline, message, and theme:
60 Egyptian Pounds is Zaza’s first acting debut. The film follows him, his brother, and his mother as they battle an abusive father figure. The film begins with a mystery. Salama invites us to watch as it unravels. We see blood and a crime scene, and soon discover that Zaza has taken matters into his own hands. He killed his father and put an end to his family’s suffering once and for all. We are met with many surprises throughout the film as Zaza deals with the consequences of his actions while keeping us on edge.
The cinematography and visuals added a lot to the mood of the film and aided the storyline. The dark aesthetic of the house that violence once roamed its halls adds a level of authenticity. The fact that the song was played in between the scenes gives us clues about the story, which adds to the plot foreshadowing.
The film has shed light on domestic violence, which many people unfortunately face, by depicting its ugly aftermath. The film was successful in conveying a touching note to the audience. We’re excited to see what other messages Zaza’s music will convey.
60 Egyptian Pounds advocates for all victims of violence and rebukes abusive parents. The film is raw, liberating, and moving, and it will leave you wondering, “Is death the aftermath of an abusive household?”