Entertainment · Film · 10 hrs ago
Ayman El Amir Develops Dark Comedy on Fame and Aspiration in Egypt
Egyptian filmmaker Ayman El Amir is developing a dark comedy called “A Pair of Shoes in the Dark Corner of the Moon.”
It follows George, a Coptic man in a remote Egyptian village who dreams of acting fame but can find only extra roles in low-budget films.
A space-themed reality show makes George a national hero, but the program is exposed as a scam, and he returns home to ridicule and rejection.
He also learns that a major sewage project promised to his village was an illusion, and begins a journey to understand his identity and sense of belonging.
The film satirizes pressure to achieve fame and success, while exploring barriers to opportunity and the gap between grand visions of Egypt and life for people on the margins.
El Amir previously co-directed “The Brink of Dreams,” which won the 2024 Cannes Golden Eye for best documentary, and his new project will take part in the Thessaloniki festival’s Crossroads Co-Production Forum.
Egyptian filmmaker Ayman El Amir is developing the satirical feature A Pair of Shoes in the Dark Corner of the Moon.
The film follows George, a Coptic dreamer in a remote Egyptian village who longs to become a famous actor.
After a space-themed reality show makes him a national hero, its exposure as a scam leaves him disgraced.
El Amir says the dark comedy examines Egypt’s obsession with success and fame, and the limits on people’s aspirations.
The project is taking part in the Crossroads Co-Production Forum at the Thessaloniki International Film Festival.
- Who
- Egyptian filmmaker Ayman El Amir is writing and directing the film. Nada Riyadh is producing it.
- What
- El Amir is developing the satirical comedy A Pair of Shoes in the Dark Corner of the Moon.
- When
- Variety published the report on November 9, 2026. The project’s development date is not stated.
- Where
- The story is set in a remote Egyptian village. The project is taking part in a forum at the Thessaloniki International Film Festival.
- Why
- El Amir says the film explores the boundaries of aspiration and society’s obsession with success and fame at all costs.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The Brink of Dreams won the Golden Eye Award for best documentary at the Cannes Film Festival.
Variety reported that El Amir was developing A Pair of Shoes in the Dark Corner of the Moon.
- Director
- Ayman El Amir
- Producer
- Nada Riyadh
- Production company
- Felucca Films, based in Cairo
- Forum
- Crossroads Co-Production Forum of the Agora at the Thessaloniki International Film Festival
- Previous film award
- The Brink of Dreams won Cannes’ Golden Eye Award for best documentary in 2024
What people are saying
In a society where we only discuss failure as a precursor to success, ‘A Pair of Shoes in the Dark Corner of the Moon’ is a contemporary dark comedy fable that satirizes our obsession with success and fame at all costs.
How do you plan a future that is not in your control?
It’s a deeply reflective story about identity, belonging and how we perceive ourselves,