Independent Egyptian film reaps awards but not box office profits
The box office failure of "Withered Green," one of the most-decorated Egyptian films internationally, came as no surprise to some critics.
CAIRO — “Withered Green,” an independent film by a young Egyptian director, has won awards in Egypt and abroad but has been a disappointment at the box office. In mid-November, several Egyptian cinemas removed the film from their schedules after it made just 112,000 Egyptian pounds ($6,300) in 15 days at Egypt’s most popular film theaters, Zawya, Mall of Arabia, Golden Stars and Zamalek.
The film, written and directed by Mohammed Hammad, portrays the struggle of middle-class women against traditions and religious beliefs, even though they enjoy financial independence. The film tells the story of Iman, who works hard to support herself and her sister Nuha as their parents have died. When a young man asks for Nuha's hand in marriage, Iman is forced to ask an uncle to attend the engagement ceremony because as a woman she is not allowed to sign the marriage agreement.
“Withered Green” is Hammad’s first feature-length film. He has previously directed short fiction films, including “The Fifth Pound,” “Central” and “Pale Red,” with young amateur actors such as Heba Ali, Asmaa Fawzy and Ahmed Al Aidy.
Hammad told the media that the reason for selecting amateur actors was to introduce new faces to the public, so that the film would be judged by its own merits rather than reflect the viewers' preconceptions based on the presence of familiar faces or famous film stars.
