Latest news with #MohamedAbdallahDraz
Broadcast Pro
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Broadcast Pro
Egyptian documentary ‘Memoirs of M.A Draz' to premiere in London
The film follows Mohamed Abdallah Draz's path from his humble beginnings in Mahallat Diyay to his academic pursuits in Paris, portraying him as a forward-thinking scholar who advocated for equal opportunities for his daughters and sons long before feminism took root in the Middle East. The Egyptian documentary Memoirs of M.A. Draz, directed by Maggie Morgan, is set to make its international debut at the Aga Khan Library in London on June 24 at 5 PM. The screening will be attended by a host of notable guests, including the film's producer Noha El Kholy, members of the late scholar's family, and the Ambassador of Egypt to the United Kingdom. The documentary tells the story of Azharite scholar Mohamed Abdallah Draz through letters, diaries and photographs found by his great-granddaughter, Noha El-Khouly. It follows his life from his humble beginnings to his studies in Paris and his progressive views on equal opportunities for his daughters. Narrated by Sedky Sakr and scored by Khaled Al Kammar, the film has been lauded for its emotional depth. Directed by Morgan and co-written with El-Asfoury, it was produced by El-Khouly, with MAD Distribution handling regional sales and MAD World managing international distribution. Maggie Morgan, a filmmaker and academic, shared her inspiration for the film, and said it was born from personal stories shared by El-Khouly about her grandfather, Sheikh Draz, and the rich history they uncovered. The film not only highlights Draz's scientific achievements but also his lasting social and cultural legacy.
Broadcast Pro
06-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Broadcast Pro
Egyptian documentary ‘Memoirs of M.A Draz' to screen at French Institutes
The film traces Mohamed Abdallah Draz's journey from his modest roots in Mahallat Diyay to his academic endeavors in Paris. Egyptian filmmaker Maggie Morgan's documentary Memoirs of M.A Draz is set for special screenings at the French Institutes in Cairo and Alexandria. The Cairo screening will take place on Thursday, February 6, at 9 pm, followed by a discussion with the film's executive producer, Noha ElKholy. The following day, the documentary will be shown at the Alexandria branch on Friday, February 7, at 7 pm. The film offers a deep archival and cultural exploration of Mohamed Abdallah Draz, one of Egypt's most influential Azharite scholars. Known for his progressive views advocating tolerance and gender equality long before the mainstream feminist movement, Draz remains a significant figure in Islamic history. Decades after his passing, his great-granddaughter, Noha ElKholy, uncovers a trove of personal letters, diaries and photographs, shedding new light on his journey from the rural village of Mahallat Diyay to Alexandria and, later, Paris, where he pursued scholarly excellence. Memoirs of M.A Draz had its world premiere at the Aswan International Women's Film Festival, where it won the Rashida Abdel Salam Award and the EU Prize for Best Euro-Mediterranean Film Addressing Women's Issues. It has also been featured at the Goethe Film Week in Cairo. The documentary is directed by Maggie Morgan and written by Taghreed El Asfouri. Noha ElKholy serves as executive producer, with editing by Amgad Shafik and Tamer Abdallah, cinematography by Emad Nabil, a musical score by Khaled Al-Kammar and narration by Sedki Sakhr. MAD Distribution manages the film's sales in the Arab world, while MAD World oversees international sales.
