The opening screening of "And We Have Love in Imagination?" at El Gouna Film Festival

The El Gouna Film Festival announced that the feature film "Love in Imagination?" by director Sarah Rezik will be participating in the Official Selection out of Competition section of the festival, which will premiere at the festival's eighth edition, scheduled to take place from October 16 to 24.

Film producer: Happy to screen it in El Gouna The crew returns to the location where the film's initial preparations and rehearsals took place. Producer Bahu Bakhsh said, "I'm very happy that the film is participating in El Gouna Film Festival, as it's one of the most important film festivals in the region and provides a real opportunity for the film to reach a diverse audience of filmmakers, critics, and art lovers."

The film's production journey was long and challenging, given the diverse filming locations and its celebration of the arts. We shot at the Grand Open-Air Theater at the Cairo Opera House, the Academy of Arts, the Higher Institute of Cinema, the Conservatory, and other exceptional Egyptian locations of literary, historical, and cultural value. We worked hard to achieve this as a production company, and having the film participate in a festival that celebrates art, such as El Gouna Film Festival, recognizes the team's efforts and is fitting for the film.

The movie's heroes talk about it. Actor Ahmed El Saadany said, "The film actually began in El Gouna, with rehearsals and preparations, so I consider its participation and screening here a positive sign. The atmosphere at El Gouna reflects the spirit of the film, full of positive energy and beautiful details. I see the festival as the best platform to showcase the work, and I'm excited to see the reactions, especially since it's a different experience for me."

Actress Mayan El Sayed said: “Since we started working on the film and preparing it in El Gouna, I wanted to return to screen it here and celebrate it, because it represents a special moment for us. I feel very happy to share it with filmmakers in the same place where we started. El Gouna Film Festival is one of my favorite festivals, and I always feel joy when I am there. I am excited that the audience will experience the same feeling I felt when watching the festival’s films, which I hope they will experience through our film.” Omar Rizik added: “It is special to screen the film at a major festival like El Gouna, and I am very excited to watch it with the audience and shine a light on it. I believe that the audience will discover a group of deep and unique relationships within its events.”

For her part, director Sarah Raziq expressed a mixture of happiness and anxiety, saying: “I am happy to be screening the film for the first time to the audience at El Gouna Film Festival, but I am also apprehensive about the presence of film professionals from all over the world to evaluate it. For us, the premiere at El Gouna has two aspects: First, the festival provides important exposure for films, and we are happy that our film will be screened here for the first time. Second, the place is very special to the crew, as it was where we met for the first time, read the script, and conducted rehearsals with the support of the production company.”

The story and heroes of the movie "And We Have Love in Imagination?" The film, a suspenseful, romantic, and comedic thriller, revolves around an introverted university professor who avoids all but the most limited social interactions. He finds himself in a relationship fraught with contradictions, forcing him into a dilemma and a conflict between his mind and heart: should he give in to his unexpected feelings, or should he decide to end the relationship before it gets complicated?

The film is produced by Red Star for Baho Bakhsh and Safi El-Din Mahmoud, directed and written by Sarah Rizik, and stars Ahmed El-Saadany, Mayan El-Sayed, Omar Rizik, and a number of new faces including Seif Hemeida, Farida Ragab, Afef Mustafa, in addition to special appearances by a number of filmmakers and stars. The film is being executed by director of photography Mohamed Gad, set designer Hamza Taha, editor Ayman Mansour, costume designer Laila Maged, musician Khaled Hamad, sound engineer Alaa Atef, and mixing by Mohamed Salah.

The film is part of Red Star's plan to produce films that address societal issues through artistic works that offer benefit without forgetting enjoyment. It also builds on Red Star's position as one of the most prominent companies supporting independent films and new cinematic experiences. The film is also being relied upon by a team, most of whom are making their first-ever feature film experience. In addition to director Sarah Raziq, it is the debut work of promising cinematographer Mohamed Gad.