Fresh Faces: Morad Mostafa Debuts With ‘Aisha Can’t Fly Away’ in Un Certain Regard: ‘I Wanted to Talk About Our Society Through Non-Egyptian Characters’

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By Alissa Simon

Making his directorial debut, Morad Mostafa takes pride in showcasing Egypt through his film “Aisha Can’t Fly Away,” which has been selected for Un Certain Regard. This movie portrays the challenging life of a solitary South Sudanese caregiver living in Cairo. It is the first Egyptian title to appear in this section since Mohamed Diab’s “Clash” in 2016.

For his first time directing a feature film, Morad Mostafa feels honored to present Egypt with “Aisha Can’t Fly Away,” a movie selected for Un Certain Regard that focuses on the hardships of a single South Sudanese caregiver in Cairo. This is the first Egyptian production to be featured in this section since Mohamed Diab’s “Clash” in 2016.

Or, more colloquially:

Making his directorial debut with “Aisha Can’t Fly Away,” Morad Mostafa’s proud to rep Egypt in Un Certain Regard. The movie’s about a South Sudanese caregiver in Cairo living a tough life, and it’s the first Egyptian film in this section since Mohamed Diab’s “Clash” back in 2016.

Despite “Aisha” being his debut feature, Mostafa is no novice when it comes to Cannes. His latest short film, titled “I Promise You Paradise,” earned the Critics’ Weeks Rail d’Or and Valbonne Audience Award in 2023; he then honed “Aisha” during a Cinéfondation residency in 2024.

Even though “Aisha” is his first full-length movie, Mostafa has experience with Cannes. He won awards for his short film “I Promise You Paradise” in 2023 and developed “Aisha” during a residency in 2024.

Beyond the recognition from Cinéfondation, Venice’s Final Cut prize, and backing from Berlinale, a multitude of Arab film festival grants played a crucial role in bringing “Aisha” to life. As a passionate advocate for this project, I, Mostafa, can attest that Sawsan Yusuf and I had numerous insightful conversations about the funding strategy. The plan we devised was nothing short of daring and demanding, encompassing every stage of production from inception to post-production. Sawsan masterfully orchestrated this complex scheme, working seamlessly with our international team of co-producers who hail from six vibrant countries: France, Germany, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, and Qatar.

As a passionate movie enthusiast, I found myself drawn to the creation of “Aisha,” a captivating blend of drama and social critique that resonates deeply. Inspired by the need for diversity in Egyptian cinema, I sought to put non-Egyptians in leading roles, offering an unconventional perspective on our society.

I aimed to discuss our community through the lens of these foreign characters, gaining insights from their unique viewpoints as they navigated our ever-evolving landscape. In essence, “Aisha” is a snapshot of contemporary Egyptian and urban life, reflecting the significant shifts that have taken place in recent times. This project, you see, is more than just a movie—it’s a reflection of modern Egypt.

The movie unveils the ambitions and anxieties of a 26-year-old character living in seclusion, battling to endure within an indifferent metropolis that frequently exploits its own citizens and is always prepared to mistreat defenseless newcomers. “I intend to delve into themes of justice by employing innovative and thought-provoking methods,” Mostafa explains.

The movie shows the hopes and worries of a 26-year-old character living alone, struggling to survive in a city that often mistreats its people and is ready to abuse immigrants. “I plan to investigate justice using creative and unique ideas,” Mostafa states.

Born and raised in Ain Shams, a district of Cairo that eventually became a stronghold for Sudanese immigrants marked by crime and gang conflicts, Mostafa has firsthand knowledge of the struggles encountered by newcomers, particularly women like Aisha who work as cleaners, cooks, and entry-level healthcare providers. These South Sudanese immigrants often find themselves subjected to exploitation by unscrupulous local employment agencies that force them to work lengthy hours for meager wages, while retaining their personal documents such as passports and identification cards, keeping them in a state of servitude.

In the movie titled “Aisha,” the debut role of South Sudanese model Buliana Simon as the lead character is showcased. This young woman finds herself caught in the tension between her personal relationships, job responsibilities, and the challenges of her surroundings. As she nears a breaking point, Director Mostafa blends the realistic aspects of the film with supernatural elements to depict Aisha’s intense internal struggle. According to him, this inner conflict becomes so powerful that it leads to a physical representation of her struggles.

Another notable performer leaving a lasting impact is the charismatic Egyptian rapper Ziad Zaza, portraying gang leader Zuka. His voice exudes a smooth yet threatening presence, as he coerces Aisha into helping with her apartment’s burglaries on behalf of his group by insinuating that she owes him for the rental.

Drawing on my ten years of experience as an assistant director on big-budget films and series, I found myself well-equipped to handle the climactic action sequence near the film’s end. However, nothing could have truly prepared me for collaborating with the majestic ostrich that plays a significant role in the storyline, acting as a striking contrast to Aisha.

Mostafa is eagerly anticipating the Cannes selection to provide fresh opportunities for him. His ambition lies in crafting a French-language feature film, involving both French and Arabic actors. At present, he’s working on a new narrative short focusing on an Egyptian adolescent. He expresses that it will be similar to his previous short film in terms of being a road movie, which falls under the exciting drama genre he enjoys, and hopes production can commence soon.

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2025-05-15 09:46