Complaint No. 713317: Egyptian Film Exposes ‘Al Qahr’ at Rotterdam Film Festival

A broken refrigerator in Cairo becomes the unlikely catalyst for a poignant exploration of modern Egyptian life in Complaint No. 713317, the debut feature from writer-director Yasser Shafiey. The film centers on Magdy and Sama, a retired couple whose quest for a simple appliance repair spirals into a confrontation with bureaucratic inefficiency and societal decay.

A Story Beyond the Appliance

The film, starring Egyptian acting icons Mahmoud Hemida and Sherine alongside Hana Shiha and Mohamed Radwan, is described as more than just a story about a malfunctioning fridge. According to a synopsis, the repair attempt “drags a retired couple into an absurd battle, unravelling everything else that’s quietly broken beneath the surface.” The couple’s struggles reflect the challenges faced by Egypt’s eroding middle class as they navigate economic hardship.

Did You Know? Yasser Shafiey, the film’s writer-director, began his career as a jewellery designer before transitioning to filmmaking with short films including The Dream of a Scene, Intense Practice to Improve Performance, and The Man Who Swallowed the Radio.

The Weight of “Al Qahr”

Shafiey’s film delves into a uniquely Egyptian concept: “Al Qahr.” He describes it as a feeling that defies easy translation, exceeding the definitions of injustice or oppression. “Al Qahr is the emotional, psychological, and social weight of being denied your most basic rights – quietly, daily, endlessly – until it becomes a way of life,” Shafiey explains. It’s a state where systems fail, voices go unheard, and individuals are left to cope with relentless hardship.

The director emphasizes that this pervasive sense of powerlessness doesn’t always manifest in dramatic outbursts. “This film is quiet. But so is Al Qahr. It doesn’t always explode. It sits in the silence, the delays, the indifference.”

Expert Insight: The film’s focus on systemic failures and the quiet desperation of everyday life suggests a broader commentary on the challenges facing many societies grappling with economic instability and bureaucratic inertia. The concept of “Al Qahr” highlights the psychological toll of prolonged powerlessness and the erosion of trust in institutions.

World Premiere and Distribution

Complaint No. 713317 will have its world premiere in the Bright Future program at the 55th edition of the International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) on February 1. Orient Films is handling sales for the film, which is a production of Red Star Films and Misr International Films.

THR has released three exclusive clips from the film, showcasing scenes of frustrating interactions with repair services, haggling over prices, and the pervasive sense of delay and resignation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the central conflict in Complaint No. 713317?

The central conflict begins with a broken refrigerator and escalates into a struggle against bureaucratic obstacles and a system that seems designed to deny basic rights to ordinary citizens.

Who are the main actors in the film?

The film stars Mahmoud Hemida and Sherine, alongside Hana Shiha and Mohamed Radwan.

Where will the film first be shown to the public?

Complaint No. 713317 will have its world premiere at the International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) on February 1.

As the film prepares for its debut, it remains to be seen how audiences will respond to its quiet yet powerful portrayal of life under the weight of “Al Qahr.” Will this film spark broader conversations about systemic issues and the human cost of bureaucratic failures?