The captivating documentary Memoirs of M.A. Draz by the talented Maggie Morgan made waves at the prestigious 2024 Aswan International Women Film Festival. With its world premiere igniting a firestorm of praise, the film won two esteemed awards: the Rasheeda Abdelsalam Special Jury Award and the Euro-Mediterranean Award. These awards are a testament to its profound exploration of women’s issues and its cinematic brilliance.
About the film:
The film is directed by Maggie Morgan and co-written with Taghreed El-Asfoury. Memoirs of M.A. Draz embarks on a journey into the extraordinary life of Azharite scholar Mohamed Abdallah Draz. The film is a treasure trove of letters, diaries, and photographs unearthed by his great-granddaughter Noha ElKholy. Memoirs of M.A. Draz unfolds a mesmerizing narrative that transcends time and place.
The film takes the audience on a journey from his humble beginnings to his scholarly pursuits in the hallowed halls of Paris. The film paints a vivid portrait of a man ahead of his time. Mohamed Abdallah Draz emerges as a beacon of progressivism. He advocated for equal opportunities for his daughters and sons long before the advent of feminism in the Middle East.
The genesis of Memoirs of M.A. Draz lies in a captivating narrative shared with Maggie Morgan by Noha ElKhouly. It shedes light on a facet of Egypt’s heritage previously shrouded in obscurity. Through meticulous research and heartfelt storytelling, Morgan and El-Asfoury breathe life into a forgotten.
Audiences, academics, and journalists alike have been profoundly moved by the film’s hauntingly beautiful narration by Sedky Sakr and the evocative musical score by Khaled Al Kammar. Together, these elements converge to create an unforgettable cinematic experience that lingers in the mind long after the credits roll.
About Maggie Morgan:
Maggie Morgan, an Egyptian filmmaker, festival programmer, and esteemed faculty member at the American University in Cairo, adds another feather to her cap with “Memoirs of M.A. Draz.” With a distinguished career spanning feature films and shorts, Morgan’s visionary storytelling has garnered international acclaim, cementing her status as a luminary of Egyptian cinema.
As Memoirs of M.A. Draz continues to captivate audiences worldwide, its legacy as a cinematic masterpiece and a testament to the enduring spirit of Mohamed Abdallah Draz stands as a beacon of inspiration in an ever-changing world.