Info:

Screening format: DCP
Original title: Min Wa Ila Meir
Director: Maggie Morgan
Writer: Maggie Morgan
Cast: Nasser Loza, Shahira Loza, Romany Abdeltawab, Samir El Qommos
Country of origin: Egypt
Language: Arabic
Subtitles: English
Runtime: 1 hour 2 minuttes

About the film:

Set in southern Egypt, From Meir, To Meir follows filmmaker Maggie Morgan’s journey to the Upper Egyptian town of Meir, where her grandparents lived before they moved to Alexandria. Through a series of interviews conducted over 12 years and the director's personal archives, the documentary gives an account of this town’s extraordinary history as the home of some of the most prominent families of Egypt. Nevertheless, the film's central focus is not on Meir's past but on the present lives, struggles and customs of its current inhabitants who yearn to depart in search of better prospects overseas. Throughout the film viewers are treated to rare glimpses of the traditions and celebrations such as weddings, church services, and the annual Virgin Mary festival, as well as the communal preparation of kishk, a traditional Upper Egyptian dish.

From Meir, to Meir is a contemplative film which deals with its difficult subject matter in a sensitive and compassionate manner, examining a highly personal, yet at the same time universal theme, home.

Maggie Morgan (Egypt)

Maggie Morgan is an award-winning filmmaker and writer from Egypt who obtained her MA from the American University in 1998. She directed and wrote some short films, such as For Farida (2012), and Where Are We Going? (2007).