Khaberni - The Egyptian Film Classification Board approved the screening of the short film "The Last of Miracles" directed by Abdelwahab Shawky, after it was banned last year, to premiere at the 2025 El Gouna Film Festival.
The artistic community in Egypt experienced a wave of positive reactions following the announcement by the Film Classification Board's approval to screen the short film "The Last of Miracles" directed by Abdelwahab Shawky, within the short film competition at the upcoming session of the Cairo International Film Festival, after it was banned last year just before the opening of the El Gouna Film Festival.
The Egyptian film "The Last of Miracles" is scheduled to open the seventh edition of the El Gouna Film Festival, which will be held from October 24th to November 1st, bringing the work back into focus a year after the controversy surrounding its ban.
Art critic Tarek El-Shennawy commented on the decision via his Facebook page, saying: "The current censor, scriptwriter Abdel-Rahim Kamal, has practically proven that the censor can pass all ideas when he possesses the tools of persuasion and the desire to support freedom of expression."
El-Shennawy added that the decision to ban it last year was "a painful stab at the country’s image internationally," noting that the film is based on a short story by the author Naguib Mahfouz, and that its screening at an international festival "was an opportunity to present a sophisticated cultural image of Egypt."
He pointed out that Abdel-Rahim Kamal approved the screening of the film "12 Sharg" two months ago, which had also been previously banned on the grounds that it contained "symbolic implications", considering that these recent decisions reflect "a more open approach in dealing with artistic creativity".
As for the film "The Last of Miracles", it tells the story of Yahya, a man in his forties who receives an unexpected phone call from a deceased sheikh while sitting in a bar, leading him on a mysterious spiritual journey that changes his outlook on life.
The film is based on a story from Naguib Mahfouz's collection "Black Cat Bar", addressing themes of faith and the search for meaning following the setback of 1967, within a dramatic framework that reflects a pivotal stage in Arab history.
The film stars Khaled Kamal, Ahmed Siam, and ‘Abd Anani, with a special appearance by actress Ghada Adel, while the screenplay was written and directed by Abdelwahab Shawky.
The director confirmed in a press statement that the work "reflects a contemporary reality despite its ancient literary roots", explaining that the story expresses feelings of loss and faith beyond logic in facing the turmoil experienced by the Arab individual today.
