One week, 10 incredible movies. Zawya Cinema has a very special selection for the eighth edition of Gouna Film Festival for the audience in Cairo. With several highlights from the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, this lineup of screenings promises to be unforgettable. Get ready for a magical week from 19 to 25 October.
Father Mother Sister Brother
Written and directed by Jim Jarmusch, this movie is a conversation between two estranged siblings, two daughters and their mother, and another set of siblings with their father. From the United States to Dublin, and finally to Paris, this movie reinforces Tolstoy’s line, “All happy families are alike, but every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way,” in a subtle comedic way. The screening is on 19 October at 7 pm.
Sound of Falling
A Cannes Film Festival Jury Prize winner, this movie explores four women from different generations who lived their youth on the same farm in Germany, and their lives become intertwined, making time obsolete. Directed by Mascha Schilinski, it tells the story of trauma. Screening at 7 pm on 20 October.
Resurrection
Winner of the Prix Spécial at Cannes, this movie tells the tale of the fate of humans finding immortality at the cost of their ability to dream. The ones who are still able to dream see visions and are labelled monsters. A mysterious woman can monitor one of these monsters and grows to sympathise with him. Directed by Bi Gan, his third feature gained international acclaim. Don’t miss this one on 21 October at 7 pm.
A Poet
This one explores the meaning of trying to lead an artistic life. A poet who is advanced in age finds purpose in mentoring a talented teenager called Yurlady. However, he questions whether introducing her to the poetry scene is the right choice, seeing as he didn’t achieve greatness himself. Directed by Simón Mesa Soto, this winner of the Un Certain Regard Jury Prize at Cannes will be screened on 22 October at 7 pm.
It Was Just an Accident
Written and directed by Jafar Panahi, this is a thriller that involves a man encountering his torturer when he casually steps into his workshop. This movie explores themes of censorship, political arrests, and torture. It’s the winner of Palme d’Or. To watch this masterpiece, don’t miss the screening on 23 October at 7 pm.
Blue Moon
A biographical work telling the story of Lorenz Hart’s struggles with alcoholism and mental health issues. The events of the movie take place on the opening night of Oklahoma! A new musical by his former colleague, Richard Rodgers, in which he is trying to maintain his composure. Directed by Richard Linklater, it will be screened at 9:30 pm on 23 October.
Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk
An Iranian filmmaker, Sepideh Farsi, is on a series of video calls with a Palestinian photographer, Fatima Hassouna, documenting her life under bombardment. Unfortunately, Hassouna passed, leaving us this testament of life under siege and bombardment. To honour Hassouna’s memory, watch the screening on 24 October at 7 pm.
Sentimental Value
Two sisters navigate their complicated relationship with their father, who used to be a renowned film director. Directed by Joachim Trier, the movie explores themes of family and how art has a reconciliatory power. Don’t miss Cannes’ Grand Prix winner, the screening is on 24 October at 9:30 pm.
How to Build a Library
Directed by Maia Lekow & Christopher King, this is the story of two Kenyan women transforming the ruins of a colonial library in Nairobi into a new cultural hub for the youth. This movie explores the challenges they face and how they learn to overcome them. Join them on this fantastic journey on 25 October at 7 pm.
Lucky Lu
Written and directed by Lloyd Lee Choi, it’s the story of the struggle of a New York delivery driver when he discovers that his bike has been stolen. Barely keeping his family aloft and losing his only means of making a living, Lu represents so many who exist in the same economic reality. The screening will be on 25 October at 9:30 pm.
