Microphone (film)

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Microphone (film)

Overview
Microphone is a 2010 Egyptian independent film written and directed by Ahmad Abdalla. Set in the city of Alexandria, it follows the lives of young artists as they build an underground art scene. The movie helped put Alexandria’s new generation of creators on the map and is noted for depicting skateboarding for the first time in an Egyptian film.

Plot
Khaled Abol Naga’s character returns to Alexandria after years away and discovers it’s difficult to revive an old romance. At the same time, his relationship with his aging father is strained. While trying to cope, he wanders through the city and encounters a vibrant underground art movement. He meets hip-hop performers on the streets, rock musicians on rooftops, skateboarders, and graffiti artists. Inspired, he tries to support this movement and draw attention to Alexandria’s diverse culture, hoping for change from the city’s art scene rather than from Cairo.

Cast
- Khaled Abol Naga (Khaled)
- Menna Shalabi (Hadeer)
- Yosra El Lozy (Salma)
- Hany Adel
- Ahmed Magdi
- Atef Youssef
- Aya Tarek
- Yassin Koptan
- Mohamed Goda
- Cherine Amr

Production and release
- Directed by Ahmad Abdalla; written by Ahmad Abdalla
- Produced by Mohamed Hefzy and Khaled Abol Naga
- Distributed by Rotana Studios and Film Clinic
- Release date: September 14, 2010 (Toronto International Film Festival)
- Running time: 122 minutes
- Country: Egypt; Language: Arabic

Awards and nominations
- 2010: Won The Golden Tanit (Tanit d’Or) at the Carthage Film Festival (first Egyptian film to win this award)
- 2010: Won Best Arabic-language Film at the Cairo International Film Festival
- 2010: Won Best Editing at the Dubai International Film Festival
- 2010: Won Best Film at the Alexandria International Film Festival
- 2010: Nominated for the Toronto International Film Festival
- 2011: Won the Golden Tulip at the Istanbul International Film Festival
- 2011: Won the Griot Best Film Award at the African Film Festival of Tarifa
- 2011: Special Mention at the Granada International Film Festival

Notes
Microphone is Ahmad Abdalla’s second feature film, following Heliopolis (2009). It is celebrated for its immersive look at Alexandria’s youth culture and for highlighting the city’s thriving underground music, skateboarding, and street art scenes.