Ashgan El-Hamus’ debut film, “Al Baraneya,” portrays the life of a pregnant woman and her extended family in an Egyptian village, utilizing a naturalistic style and largely non-professional cast. The film focuses on the family’s connection to the land and their resistance to change.
The film is set in Al Baraneya, an agricultural town in the Nile Delta, near Cairo. The story centers on Amal, played by Reem Amer, who is awaiting the birth of her child while living with her parents, Sayed and Sara, and siblings. Her husband, Omar, is working to earn enough money to build their own home. The family earns a living by picking jasmine and stringing it into garlands to sell in town.
Much of the cast is comprised of El-Hamus’ extended family. The film highlights the roles each family member plays in contributing financially, with the exception of the grandmother, Fatma Farahat El-Hadary, who is freed from that need. The family faces financial hardship, with a poor wheat harvest and pressure from outsiders to sell their land. Sayed consistently refuses these offers, valuing their connection to the land above financial gain. “Are we people of balconies?” Sara rhetorically asks, emphasizing the family’s attachment to their agricultural lifestyle.
Amal appears content with her situation, anticipating the arrival of her baby and the prospect of starting a family of her own. The film emphasizes the warmth and togetherness within the family, showing moments of laughter and relaxation. El-Hamus, who was raised in the Netherlands, directed the film with a Dutch crew, but successfully avoided imposing any artificiality, maintaining authenticity through her proximity to the cast and a focus on portraying their lives truthfully.
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