Abu Bakr Shawky Unveils “The Stories” at Tallinn Festival

Egyptian-Austrian filmmaker Abu Bakr Shawky premiered his latest film, The Stories, at the 29th edition of the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival in Estonia on November 19, 2023. Following his previous successes at prestigious festivals like Cannes and Toronto, Shawky’s newest work garnered significant attention, particularly due to its personal narrative inspired by his parents’ unique cross-cultural relationship.

Shawky’s film explores the lives of his father, who grew up in Egypt, and his mother, who was raised in Austria. The narrative begins with their initial connection as international pen pals, unfolding a tapestry of experiences shared between their families and friends. The Stories is structured around five distinct tales interspersed with archival footage, including political speeches, soccer matches, and radio transmissions, alongside acted scenes.

The film’s synopsis highlights a pivotal moment in 1967, when Ahmed, portrayed by Amir El-Masry, receives a letter from Liz, played by Valerie Pachner. Their long-distance friendship, viewed with skepticism by Ahmed’s relatives, becomes a catalyst for his dreams of becoming a pianist. The narrative delves into the challenges they face amid the backdrop of war and social upheaval in Egypt, ultimately portraying their resilience through shared dreams and aspirations.

Shawky expressed his excitement about the film during the premiere, stating, “This film is based on the true story of how my parents got together in the ‘70s.” He emphasized that the film is about “worlds colliding” and celebrates the small victories of life. Engaging with the audience in a post-screening Q&A, he elaborated on his family’s penchant for storytelling. He noted, “Whenever they tell the same story, it becomes bigger and bigger… I thought it’d be a good thing to make a movie about that, because most of what’s happening is fiction, but it’s based on reality.”

In addition to Shawky, the cast features Nelly Karim, Ahmed Kamal, and Khaled Mokhtar. The film was produced by Julie Viez, with cinematography by Wolfgang Thaler and editing by Roland Stöttinger. Sales are being handled by Goodfellas, further increasing the film’s visibility in the competitive marketplace.

During the Q&A, Pachner shared her experience of preparing for the role, stating, “I just learned a few lines in Arabic for the movie. Unfortunately, I forgot them all.” El-Masry recalled the intense preparation he undertook, saying, “I had about two months to learn to play Bach and Rachmaninov… but the magic of cinema did the rest.”

Shawky’s parents made a cameo appearance in The Stories, adding a personal touch to the film. His mother humorously revealed during the Q&A that she was not fully aware of how deeply their family history would be portrayed. “He said it’s [snippets] about us, but it’s a lot about us,” she remarked, drawing laughter from the audience. She concluded with a heartfelt tribute to the characters represented in the film, stating, “Each and every character that is in the film… I spent many, many years with in Egypt before we even got married. All these characters really lived.”

Shawky’s work continues to resonate with audiences, bridging cultural gaps and highlighting the significance of personal stories. As The Stories embarks on its journey through film festivals and potential distribution, it stands as a testament to the power of storytelling across generations and borders.