2019 Winners & Shortlists

Write a short summary of what happens in the film.

A film for Egypt. A film featuring Egyptians from all forms of society, age and affiliations, as they gather around televisions, with their eyes fixed on the screen. In nail-biting tension, the film unfolds and consolidates all their emotions of that single moment, as their nation takes part of the World Cup after a 28 year wait. Their dreams and aspiration are elevated as they pray for their hero, Mohamed Salah, who directed them there, to continue his journey in leading them all the way, celebrating the country’s first win of finally stepping on the fields on Russia.

Cultural/Context information for the jury

With football being a national passion that is irrelevant to age or interest, whenever the National team is playing, everything else is put aside. With major political differences, economic challenges and no hope, Mohamed Salah has become the sole pride that no two people would disagree about. Combining him with the World Cup, Egyptians finally found the one thing that allowed them to forget their differences or worries, and actually unite. With the first game happening on the last day holy month of Ramadan and after a 28-year wait, the event had become one that the entire Nation anticipated by the second. This anticipation grew more intense with the suspense that accompanied the injury of their hero, who had dislocated his shoulder two weeks before the tournament. With initial reports assuring he would not participate, Egyptians regained hope hours before with the assurance that he would.

Tell the jury anything relevant about the edit.

A journey unfolded. With every shot leading the story to the next, paving the road to that moment where the end destination is reached; Salah stepping onto the field. The details of every shot increase in intensity as the film forwards, creating the anticipating feeling of every individual across the globe, and showcasing the relevant and actual occurrence of paralleled events. Starting from the slower paced shots that unveil the gathering of individuals, and quickly intensifying in fast cut frames that rise with emotions. With close-up shots cutting to wider-shots, tension, excitement and anticipation are created, as the film uncovers the full emotional rollercoaster leaving viewers as the moment is about to begin. As Salah exits the tunnel and enters the pitch, the audience are left hanging, dreaming alongside him of a national victory.