An initiative starting in Cannes 2011 to welcome a guest country has brought very poignant beginnings for the festival. A tribute to Egypt with special events and screenings throughout Wednesday climaxed with the world premiere of 18 Days [Tamantashar Yom], a collection of shorts focused on the 18 days following the January 25 Revolution.

A packed Salle du Soixantieme was filled with film-makers, press and invitees who welcomed the filmmakers into the theatre with a standing ovation. They were assembled on the stage before three of the film-makers talked of the spirit of freedom the country now looks forward to.

Mariam Abou Ouf, creator of #tahrir 2/2, brought another standing ovation when she expressed her disbelief of premiering their work at such a prestigious event:

“When we shot the film three months ago, I would not have thought we would be presenting it here in Cannes. And I would like to dedicate it to each person who devoted 18 days of his or her life to the revolution, as well as to all those who disappeared.”

With the majority young Egyptian film-makers, their main aim and hope in the (rushed) process was that their new-found freedom carried through in their work. Fellow creator Yousni Nasrallah (Interior-Exterior) also recognised others in the region:

“Today, our thoughts are with Libya, Yemen, Syria, Tunisia. We must stand by them.”

Premiering soon after their completion, the mix of films is eclectic, drawn from both true stories and influences surrounding January 25. Drama and comedy are blended and intertwined to retain interest.

Revolution Cookies looks at a naïve man who locks himself up for 18 days not knowing what’s going on and recording his worries of the outside noise. Then there’s when the flood hits you…, a comedy about scammers trying to make a buck with selling Egyptian flags, and mental institution patients from all worlds forming their own revolution in their environment in Retention.

All ten films were shot under emergency conditions voluntarily but you wouldn’t know it – the quality is substantial and broadens anyone’s perspective on the recent events.

The initiative as a whole will raise profits for organising courses on civic and political education in certain Egyptian villages. It’s a fitting choice by Cannes to promote the Egyptian industry to promote awareness and give these film-makers a chance to show the world their views on the day their country changed.

—

For more of Katina’s coverage of the 2011 Cannes film festival, click here.

Follow the author Katina Vangopoulos on Twitter.