Doaa el-Adl is one of the most prominent of the very few female cartoonists in the Arab world. As the first woman to win the prestigious Journalistic Distinction in Caricature, el-Adl is a force for change in the male-dominated world of Egyptian political cartoonists. This documentary is a vibrant and eye-opening exposé of the inherent dangers and challenges faced by graphic artists in this profession: a rebellious critic of patriarchy, Doaa el-Adl courageously faces daily critique, censorship, intimidation, and death threats for her art.
Egyptian director Nada Riyadh brings el-Adl‘s most famous works to life in a creative and exciting mix of documentary, cartoon, and animation. Pushing the boundaries of freedom in an often restrictive society, el-Adl uses her talent to critique violence against women and advocate for women’s rights, to inspire, and to bring change in Egyptian society.
This film will be preceded by two shorts: Facing the Storm: The Indigenous Response to Climate Change (Episode 1 Mazaska Talks) and The Smallest Power, together showcasing voices for change around the world.
Presented by
Media Partner
Community Partner
Doaa El-Adl
Belgium/France/Luxembourg
2023
In Arabic with English subtitles
Sexual language
Open to youth!
Book Tickets
Indigenous & Community Access
Indigenous Access Tickets Community Access Tickets Ticket Donation Requests
Credits & Director
Executive Producer
Salma Abdalla, Sigrid Dyekjaer
Producer
Hanne Phlypo, Estelle Robin You, Marion Guth, François Le Gall, Femke Wolting, Bruno Felix
Screenwriter
Nada Riyadh, Vincent Coen, Guillaume Vandenberghe
Cinematography
Karen Vázquez Guadarrama
ANIM
L’Incroyable Studio
Editor
Geert Veuskens, Frédéric Fichefet, Karima Saïdi, Lenka Fillnerova
Original Music
Catherine Kontz
Nada Riyadh
Nada Riyadh is a film director/producer based in Cairo, Egypt. Her debut documentary film Happily Ever After premiered at IDFA in 2016. Her short fiction Fakh (The Trap) was selected for Semaine de la Critique at Cannes in 2019. Nada co-founded the Cairo-based production company Felucca Films, aiming to help filmmakers from the MENA region explore and shape their own personal voices. She is now in post-production of her second feature documentary, Land of Women, co-directed with Ayman El Amir.
Filmography: Happily Ever After (2016); Grenzenlos (2018); The Brink of Dreams (2024)
Missing VIFF? Check out what's playing at the VIFF Centre
Schindler Space Architect
RM Schindler is now recognized as one of the most important modernist architects of the era, the man who laid the groundwork for what is now considered the epitome of California indoor-outdoor living. This doc sheds light on a previously unsung genius.
Mary Oliver: Saved by the Beauty of the World
Sasha Waters' documentary takes us through the life of America's best-selling late twentieth century poet, a private woman who shared her innermost thoughts and made them indispensable.
Fargo
Have the Coen brothers ever made a more satisfying movie than Fargo? This grisly comedy pits one of cinema's most pure-hearted cops (Frances McDormand's pregnant cop, Marge Gunderson) against the machinations of weak and mercenary men.
Lone Star
John Sayles's modern day Western is a murder mystery which draws sheriff Chris Cooper to investigate two of his predecessors, the notoriously corrupt Charlie Wade (Kris Kristofferson), and his own father, Buddy (Matthew McConaughey).