The Stories
Feature Film, AT/FR/EG/SE/BE 2025, DCP, 120 min, 21.3. OmeU, 23.3. OmdUEgypt, 1967. As the threat of war looms over the country, Ahmed receives a message from Austria—Liz has responded to his search for a pen pal. Ahmed’s dream of becoming a pianist despite his humble background, suddenly takes shape that summer: Liz urges him to give a public concert. A film about Egypt’s political transformation as seen through the lens of an ordinary family. A chronicle of resistance and drama, failure and triumph.
DER STANDARD is handing out a free bottle of Rote Rakete Cascara iced tea to all visitors.
Director: Abu Bakr Shawky
Script: Abu Bakr Shawky
Cast: Amir El-Masry, Valerie Pachner, Nelly Karim, Maria Hofstätter, Johannes Krisch, Jack Hofer
Camera: Wolfgang Thaler
Editor: Roland Stöttinger
Location Sound: Rawad Hobeika, Theda Schifferdecker
Sounddesign: Rana Eid
Production Design: Hend Abdelrazek Haider
Costumes: Reem El Adl
Producers: Julie Viez, Mohamed Hefzy, Alexander Glehr, Johanna Scherz, Shahinaz Al Akkad, Ahmed Badawy; Ko-Produzent:innen: Olivier Guerpillon, Marta Reguera, Kristina Börjeson, Benoit Roland
Production: Film AG
Co-production: Cinenovo (FR), Film Clinic (EG), Fox in the Snow (SE), Wrong Men (BE)
World Sales: Goodfellas
Distribution in Austria: Filmladen
Funded by: ÖFI+
ÖFI – Österreichisches Filminstitut
FFW – Filmfonds Wien
Région Île-de-France
Land Niederösterreich Kultur
ORF Film/Fernseh-Abkommen
Belgium Tax Shelter
BNP Paribas Fortis Film Finance
Doha Film Institue
Centre national du cinéma et de l'image animée (CNC)
Institut français
World Premiere: Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival 2025
Austrian Premiere: Diagonale '26
Kinostart: 10.07.2026
Production format: digital
Script: Abu Bakr Shawky
Cast: Amir El-Masry, Valerie Pachner, Nelly Karim, Maria Hofstätter, Johannes Krisch, Jack Hofer
Camera: Wolfgang Thaler
Editor: Roland Stöttinger
Location Sound: Rawad Hobeika, Theda Schifferdecker
Sounddesign: Rana Eid
Production Design: Hend Abdelrazek Haider
Costumes: Reem El Adl
Producers: Julie Viez, Mohamed Hefzy, Alexander Glehr, Johanna Scherz, Shahinaz Al Akkad, Ahmed Badawy; Ko-Produzent:innen: Olivier Guerpillon, Marta Reguera, Kristina Börjeson, Benoit Roland
Production: Film AG
Co-production: Cinenovo (FR), Film Clinic (EG), Fox in the Snow (SE), Wrong Men (BE)
World Sales: Goodfellas
Distribution in Austria: Filmladen
Funded by: ÖFI+
ÖFI – Österreichisches Filminstitut
FFW – Filmfonds Wien
Région Île-de-France
Land Niederösterreich Kultur
ORF Film/Fernseh-Abkommen
Belgium Tax Shelter
BNP Paribas Fortis Film Finance
Doha Film Institue
Centre national du cinéma et de l'image animée (CNC)
Institut français
World Premiere: Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival 2025
Austrian Premiere: Diagonale '26
Kinostart: 10.07.2026
Production format: digital
