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Three days after its Critics’ Week world premiere, “ The Brink of Dreams ” director-producer team of Nada Riyadh and Ayman El Amir delved into the making of their documentary in an exclusive, behind-the-scenes conversation at the Palais des Festivals. Hosted by the Cannes Docs sidebar of the Marché du Film, the conversation saw the Cairo-based Felucca Films duo offer insider intel and tips on their sophomore feature. Their debut feature, “Happily Ever After,” premiered at IDFA in 2016.

“The Brink of Dreams” follows the compelling coming-of-age story of an all-female theatre troupe in a remote village in southern Egypt, who take to the streets to act out their plays denouncing underage marriage, domestic violence and patriarchy in a deeply conservative society. Shot over four years, the film takes viewers on a compelling journey from childhood to womanhood, featuring intimate scenes within the girls’ families and close-up conversations between the protagonists and their fiancés, which never leave the viewer feeling intrusive but rather invited to share these moments. Asked how they managed to get so close to their subjects, the pair explained that they developed a relationship of trust over several years and were gradually invited into their intimate spheres.



Most importantly, explained El Amir, “We wanted to find a small crew that could accompany us over the long course. Otherwise, it would have been impossible to make this film. The relationship was not.

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