‘The Tale of Daye’s Family’ Director Karim El Shenawy Discusses Adaptive Casting Process at Red Sea Film Festival

As a cinephile with a deep appreciation for stories that resonate and reflect the human condition, I found “The Tale of Daye’s Family” to be an exceptional cinematic journey. Director Karim El Shenawy masterfully weaves together the diverse tapestry of Egypt, showcasing its rich cultural fabric and the struggles of everyday people.

At the Red Sea Film Festival, Alex Ritman – the chief representative for EbMaster in London – had a conversation with Karim El Shenawy, the director of “The Tale of Daye’s Family,” during an event hosted by Film AlUla at the EbMaster Lounge.

At the inauguration event of the Red Sea Film Festival, a movie was shown that tells the story of a 14-year-old Nubian albino boy attempting to reach an audition for a TV program akin to “The Voice” in Egypt.

El Shenawy expressed that at this point, he understands the film is no longer just his, referring to its world premiere. It was heartwarming for him to witness the audience’s reactions and observe how they experienced the emotional journey…perceived the magical realism depicted in the movie.

Originally, the filmmaker felt an urge to return to the editing room to make adjustments on some parts of the final version. However, when he saw his entire cast and crew together, it gave him the confidence to relax and delight in the premiere of “The Tale of Daye’s Family.” He mentioned this as well.

According to El Shenawy, his film has a universal appeal due to its abundant emotion, passion, and diverse contributions from numerous individuals. The director explained that “The Tale of Daye’s Family” focuses on the narrative travels and struggles of various characters, ranging from Daye’s mother to his Christian music instructor.

El Shenawy stated that they aimed to create a movie deeply connected to our culture. It’s a story about variety, encompassing various shades of skin, distinct languages, and dialects. This film reflects the rich cultural tapestry of Egypt as a nation and also highlights the diversity among humanity.

The film’s casting journey spanned a full year, involving open auditions, narrowing down potential candidates, and meetings with the families of prospective actors. El Shenawy mentioned that Daye was originally penned as an 11-year-old character, but the script was eventually revised to more accurately depict the role, which was portrayed by Badr Mohamed.

El Shenawy stated that we made numerous alterations to the casting, and as a result, the overall feel transformed. He found it serendipitous because it turned out to be more about growth and maturity.

The director noted that the creators of “The Tale of Daye’s Family” were not intending to tailor their work towards a particular style or mood, like crafting it in the manner of art-house films or appealing to European sensibilities. Instead, they wished to let the story unfold organically and authentically.

El Shenawy expressed hope that this is just the start of something larger, involving more collaboration. He has a significant distance to go before the product reaches its commercial launch.

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2024-12-09 22:46