This movie is about the history of Mohammed Ali Street in Cairo where once musicians lived and thrived. It considers why they left and how the landscape of the street has changed from an artistic one to a commercial one.

Interview with Director Ms Hagar El Karany

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

The world knows that Egyptian history is full of rich culture, folklore and history not found in any other country.

Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this series?

In order to know the professions which used to be in Egypt and do not exist any more and how older people are dealing with this new situation.

How do personal and universal themes work in your series?

Always i watch many international and local movies and read novels and books related to cinema. Psychology books are very necessary because they help me in my relationships with people on the street and in my choice of guests. Other themes involve always being on the street, discovering new places and people's worth.

How have the script and series evolved over the course of their development and production?

One year ago I started training in the Egyptian channel "ontv" in the unit of documentaries under the supervision of director and scriptwriter Abd El Gawad and before then I worked as an assistant director.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

Very good feedback because the audience has discovered new information about the life and the history of the artistic Mohamed Ai street

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

The director always must always be open minded about all opinions.

What are you looking to achieve by having your series more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?

I would like to share everything about my society and focus on the unique culture and characters.

Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this series’s message?

All of them because every field is special in my career.

What type of impact and/or reception would you like this series to have?

In the past Egyptians used to care about art nowadays they still but not that much and we face the same problem as the whole world: we forget the old folkloric art and care only about the modern - especially the youth.

What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this series?

My film about the street in the old days and nowadays. What is preferable for the people who live in the street: art or commerce?

Would you like to add anything else?

We have to keep all old professions in Egypt because they characterise us.

What are the key creatives developing or working on now?

My new film is about ancient Cairo's protector gates during the Mamluk sultanate and stories of the people who live there now.

Interview: November 2016

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We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series and music video. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela

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The story has ended

This movie is about the history of Mohamed Ali street. Mohamed Ali street was structured in the 19th century during the reign of Khedive Esmail, who built modern Cairo. The street has the architectural style of Rivoli street in Paris and the nature of the residents too. Musicians, singers and also dancers live in Mohamed Ali street.

The movie also explains the reasons for the immigration of the artists and the celebrities from Mohamed Ali street, and how the reputation of the street changes from an artistic one to a commercial one, mainly depending on the furniture trade. The movie describes the difficulties faced by the artists and the ones who decided to continue their career as it is in the street.

Director: Ms Hagar El Karany

Producer: Rim Chamia

Writer: Abd al Gawad

About director and script writer

Hagar El Karany

Egyptian director on 3 movies; after that worked as an assistant director in 3 movies.

Abd Gawad

Egyptian script writer, director and producer, he is a director on 25 films and script writer for 20 films.

Funders :Egyptian channel Ontv