Birds of Darkness / Toyour El-Zalam

Film

by Sherif Arafa

Details

Egypt / 1995 / 110mins / Comedy, Thriller / Arabic

Subjugated attorney, Fathi Nofal Imam is a clever, straightforward man who loves alcohol and promiscuous women. He defends Samira, a woman charged with prostitution against prosecutor Ali, an Islamic fundamentalist lawyer. In this light Egyptian comedy, Fathi tackles the imperfect justice system and uses religion to free Samira.

Trailer

About the Director

Sherif Arafa

Sherif Arafa, born in 1960, graduated from the Higher Institute of Cinema. His passion for cinema began in his early years as he came from a well-known artistic family. He is the son of director Saad Arafa and the older brother of film director Amr Arafa. Arafa directed movies that became iconic milestones in the history of Arab cinema, including Allaeb ma'a alkebar (Playing with the Giants), Al-irhab wal kabab (Terrorism & Bar.b.que), El Mansy (The Forgotten), Toyour elzalam (Birds of Darkness), El Noom fi el Asal (Sleeping in Honey), Edhak el soura tetlaa helwa (Smile, the Picture Gets Better), El Nazer (The Headmaster), Halim (The Cousins), and El gezira (The Island). Sherif Arafa has won many awards during his artistic career. He won the Silver Award for his film, Al-irhab wal kabab (Terrorism & Bar.b.que), at the Milan African Film Festival in 1992. Arafa won the Bronze Award for his film Toyour elzalam (Birds of Darkness) at the Venice Film Festival in 1995. He also was named best director for his film Halim at The National Film Festival of Egypt in 2007. Sherif Arafa supplemented his successful career as a director by also producing successful works like the sitcom Tamer & Shawkeya and films like Ibn Ezz and Halim. In addition, Sherif Arafa set the dramatic tone of the series Lahzat Harega and directed some of the most important and memorable episodes in seasons I, II and III. Learn More