07-07-2025
Catholic Film Centre debates TV series: The silent scourge
On 21 June 2025 the Catholic Film Centre shed light on a TV series that was broadcast last March and focused on a dreaded but rarely publicised social plague: the sexual molestation of children.
The TV drama was titled Lam Shamsiya , literally 'L of the Sun', an expression that draws attention to 'silent or silenced features', given that the letter L in the Arabic word for 'the sun' — 'al-Shams' pronounce 'a-shams', with a silent L, is used in Arabic grammar to denote all words that include silent L's. The drama achieved wide viewership and was greatly applauded for having had the courage to tackle a thorny, sensitive issue more often than not swept under the carpet.
The TV series tells the story of Nelly, a schoolteacher, who finds out that her stepson was being molested by his father's best friend. The story depicts the emotional trauma she goes through attempting to prove herself right as she faces disbelief and suspicion starting from her own husband. Finally, she proves herself right, and manages to rescue the child and ensure that justice is served.
Outstanding narrative
Lam Shamsiya and its stars and makers were feted by the CCC in the recent symposium to discuss with them and with the public the significance of the work.
The symposium was held at the Nile Hall of the Franciscan Brothers, and witnessed the participation of the drama's stars and makers. Fr Boutros said he was keen to honour the team in recognition of their outstanding contribution to Egyptian TV drama, sending out an effective, humane, direly-needed message that was well received by critics and the public alike.
Fr Boutros said the makers of the TV series put a mirror in front of our faces, exposing our inaction and failure before the scourge of child molestation. 'We have been unable to confront the challenge,' he said, 'because of our fear for our image in society. The drama comes with an outstanding plot and a coherent, integrated narrative that bring to life the tragic reality of child molestation.'
Among the drama makers who attended the symposium were its director Karim al-Shennawi; writer Mariam Naoum; scriptwriter Ragia Hassan; artistic producer Ahmed Farghali; film editor Baher Rashid; and Nabil al-Qutt, medical and psychological consultant of the series.
The actors: Muhammed Shaheen, Yusra al-Lozy, Thara Jubail, Yasmine Al-Abd, Yara Gobran, Faten Saeed, Salma Zaki, and Mustafa Askar; and the talented child and rising star Ali al-Biali were also present.
At the close of the symposium, Fr Boutros handed special certificates of appreciation to all the makers and actors of the TV series, and presented to them the CCC shield.
The Catholic Cinema Centre stands out for its focus on values of humaneness and human dignity. Through its annual film festival, CCC has been centering on films with humanitarian and moral values.
The Catholic Cinema Centre was founded in 1949 at the hands of Mr Mazzaoui who was a critic, cinema historian and prominent figure among those who built Egyptian cinema. Mr Mazzaoui encouraged the Franciscan Friars in Egypt to establish a cinema centre to educate the young. The Catholic Centre Film Festival was born in Cairo in 1952, with the purpose of encouraging and supporting the production of films that carry humanitarian and moral focus. As such, it has always held a distinct, warm-hearted character among film festivals in Egypt.
Watani International
2 July 2025 Comments
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