The new Egyptian movie, Spring Came on Laughing, chronicles a journey of discovery and self-reflection through four interwoven stories of women filled with secrets; anger; sorrow, and tears concealed beneath laughter.
Directed by Noha Adel, the movie expects to get its world premiere and try to beat rivals in the international competition of Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF), to be held between November 13 and 22.
It is the only Egyptian film participating in the official competition of the festival.
The film starts during the spring season. However, as vibrant blossoms begin to fade, an unforeseen autumn arrives, bringing the women’s stories to an end.
Adel described her film as a ‘significant leap of faith’.
“It embarks on a journey to bring together a series of fragmented short stories that have lingered in my mind since late 2019,” she said.
“With eyes wide open, I felt an undeniable urge to share and narrate these stories, not yet knowing how they could come together as a cohesive bouquet of spring blossoms in my debut feature film,” she added.
Nevertheless, she came to realize how deeply spring influenced her creative vision.
“I was never drawn in by the superficial image of spring’s cheerful façade,” Adel said.
“For me, spring is a season full of stark contrasts; sudden sandstorms; unpredictable weather, and hidden truths that tears reveal,” she explained.
While working on the film, Adel was influenced by an emotional quatrain by Egyptian poet Salah Jahin (1930-1986) that reads as follows:
Spring came on laughing, but finds me in sorrow,
Spring calls my name, but I remain silent,
Spring lays its flowers beside me, but what can spring flowers do to the dead?
“Throughout this project, I uncover the true reasons behind my selection of these particular stories, understanding their essence and relevance as I progress,” Adel said.
“Each tale in this collection reflects the intricate patterns woven by the enigmatic nature of spring – unique stories that I have seen, heard, or perhaps even experienced first-hand (though I’d never admit it),” she continued.
More surprising still, Adel did not search for the stories, but she stumbled on each one by chance.
Each story depicted in the film, she said, draws inspiration from classic Egyptian poetry, music, and the unique beauty of the country’s landscapes.
This work represents her visual and auditory interpretation ofthe season, developed over a four-month journey with a definitive conclusion, without intentionally adding feminist undertones.
Instead, the film naturally gravitates towards the lives and narratives of women, portrayed from a complex and nuanced perspective.
“It was essential for this film to be seen through the eyes and minds of women,” Adel said.
“I am grateful to have brought together an incredible team of talented women who contributed to producing, acting, assisting, filming, and editing this film,” she concluded.
Film producer, Kawthar Younis, shared her insights into the behind-the-scenes journey of the project.
She said she was deeply inspired by Adel’s unwavering determination to complete this project.
“Despite numerous obstacles, I was driven by her fearless pursuit of her passion and vision,” Younis said of Adel.
“Witnessing her resilience and commitment solidified my dedication to the film and reinforced my belief in her talent and storytelling potential, motivating me to take on the role of producer,” she added.
She described Adel as a ‘persistent director’, viewing collaboration with her as a ‘true honour’.
Spring Came on Laughing explores the unpredictability of life and strips away societal expectations to uncover hidden complexities through dark humour and layered narratives.
Younis said the film’s makers’ aim is to create a platform for women’s voices.
“Our commitment to creating a women-centred project goes beyond the screen, extending to our entire team behind the scenes, who worked tirelessly to bring this vision to life,” she said.
“We are excited to share this film with audiences, inviting them to join in a journey filled with discovery, laughter, and introspection that celebrates the strength, resilience, and unique perspectives of women,” she added.
She noted that she and her team aspire to make a meaningful impact and foster a more inclusive film industry through the exploration of complex emotions.
The film stars Sally Abdo, Mokhtar Younis, Rehab Annan, Reem Al-Akkad, Carole Akkad, Mona Al-Nammouri, WissamSalah, and Roka Yasser.
The CIFF is one of the oldest and most regular festivals in the Arab world and Africa. It is the only festival in the Arab and African regions registered with the International Federation of Producers Associations in Brussels.
