Egyptian actress Reem Amer is set to take the international stage with Al Baraneya, the debut feature film from Dutch-Egyptian director Ashgan El-Hamus.
The film has been selected for the 2026 edition of Giornate degli Autori, also known as Venice Days, where it will hold its world premiere during the 83rd Venice International Film Festival. The festival is scheduled to take place on the Venice Lido from September 2 to 12.
Reem Amer Takes on the Role of Amal
In Al Baraneya, Amer plays Amal, a pregnant young woman living with her extended family in a village on the outskirts of Cairo, surrounded by jasmine fields.
Their modest but close-knit life is disrupted when a man expresses interest in purchasing the land on which the family lives. The potential sale creates divisions within the household, forcing its members to confront questions about money, belonging and the possibility of building a different life elsewhere.
As the pressure surrounding the decision grows, Amal begins to reconsider the future that has been planned for her. The arrival of her cousin Rania from Cairo introduces Amal and her sisters to a more modern urban lifestyle, intensifying the tension between remaining connected to their roots and pursuing new opportunities in the city.
A Story About Family, Land and Change
At the heart of Al Baraneya is a family’s struggle over whether to preserve the life they know or accept the financial freedom that selling their land could provide.
Through Amal’s journey, the film explores the emotional consequences of economic change, particularly for young women whose personal ambitions may conflict with family expectations and long-established traditions.
Director Ashgan El-Hamus drew inspiration from the real village connected to her own family. She has described the film as a reflection on community, womanhood and the value of a simple life, while also examining the pressures that capitalism and limited opportunities can place on tightly connected families.
Ashgan El-Hamus Makes Her Feature Debut
Al Baraneya marks El-Hamus’ first feature-length film. Her previous work includes the short film Birdland, which won the Grand Prix de la Ville de Brest at the Brest European Short Film Festival, as well as directing and writing work for Dutch television.
The film was written by El-Hamus and Roelof-Jan Minneboo and runs for 84 minutes. It is a co-production between the Netherlands, Egypt, Belgium and Saudi Arabia.
BALDR Film serves as the lead production company, with Seera Films and CZAR Film joining as co-producers. The project received support from several organizations, including the Netherlands Film Fund, Creative Europe Media and the Red Sea Fund.
An Ensemble Cast Rooted in the Film’s Community
Alongside Reem Amer, the cast includes Fatma Ibrahim El-Hamus, Nadia Ahmed El-Hadary, Asmaa Ahmed El-Hadary, Farida Alsayed El-Hamus, Fatma Farahat El-Hadary and Sara Ali El-Hadary.
The wider cast also features Elsayed Mohamed El-Hamus, Safaa Ahmed Kobak, Yehia Saad El-Hamus, Salma Khattab and Mostafa Nour El-Din.
The combination of professional performers and cast members connected to the village gives the production a deeply personal and community-driven identity.
Al Baraneya Joins Venice Days
The film will screen as part of the 23rd Giornate degli Autori, an independent section held alongside the Venice International Film Festival and dedicated to distinctive voices in contemporary cinema. The 2026 edition will run from September 2 to 12.
Its selection gives Al Baraneya a prominent international platform while highlighting another Egyptian story shaped by local experiences, family relationships and social transformation.
With Reem Amer at the center of its intimate narrative, the film’s Venice premiere represents a significant moment for both the actress and El-Hamus as they introduce Al Baraneya to global audiences.
