Asmaa

Asmaa is a groundbreaking film that made waves not only in Egyptian cinema but across all of Arab cinema. Directed by Amr Salama, this 2011 movie stars award-winning actress Hend Sabri and talented Egyptian actors Maged El-Kedwani and Hany Adel. The movie famously tackled a taboo topic very few films in the conservative Arab world dared to handle, which is HIV and AIDS, shining a light on the harsh realities faced by HIV-positive individuals in a society that tends to stigmatise them.

The film is named after its protagonist, Asmaa (Hend Sabri), a brave, mid-aged single mother who is forced to fight a dual battle: one against a failing health system and another against social stigma, having been diagnosed with HIV. Asmaa hails from an underprivileged background and takes work as a cleaner in Cairo's international airport. Despite facing severe adversity due to her disease, Asmaa's spirit remains indomitable, and she garners the viewer's sympathy with her warmth, strength, and courage.

Asmaa has kept her health condition a secret for years, carefully trying to avoid the negative social torment that could result from public knowledge of her disease. However, a critical turn occurs in her life when she suffers from gall bladder complications and is therefore in dire need of urgent surgery. But, due to the prejudices surrounding HIV patients, none of the doctors she meets is willing to operate on her.

Meanwhile, Asmaa meets Mohsen, played by Maged El-Kidwani, a lawyer turned TV host who becomes captivated by her story. Despite societal pressures and his career at stake, Mohsen falls for Asmaa and stands by her through thick and thin. Hany Adel plays an HIV activist who also extends his support to Asmaa, offering a humanist perspective on the disease.

The pivotal choice in the film arises when Asmaa has an opportunity to appear on national television to share her story, not just for herself but for all the others suffering in silence. This situation is pivotal, filled with risk, sacrifice, and potential to change the tide. As such, it provides a strong plot direction for the film.

The lead actress, Hend Sabri, spared no effort to bring authenticity and nuance to her role as Asmaa. Her transformative performance carries the narrative weight of the film in a way that prompts admiration for the character's resilience and evokes immense empathy towards her plight. The role earned Sabri multiple awards and much deserved critical acclaim.

Maged El-Kedwani and Hany Adel's performances have also been lauded with the two actors delivering brilliant performances that added depth and bred conviction. They played instrumental roles in asserting the solidarity, humanity, and compassion that should surround HIV patients rather than prejudice and discrimination.

On the whole, Amr Salama's Asmaa is a gripping and heart-wrenching drama that speaks volumes about the trials, tribulations, and resilience of those grappling with HIV while living in a society that tends to shun them. Featuring compelling performances and a thought-provoking screenplay, the film challenges societal taboos and prejudices while advocating for more acceptance, empathy, and awareness about HIV and AIDS.

Through a unique cinematic lens, Asmaa showcases the intersection between life, love, sickness, and social stigma. It sheds light on the untold stories of those suffering in silence and provides a call to action for societies to overcome fear and prejudice.

Asmaa proved to be a trailblazer in Egyptian and Arabic cinema by becoming one of the first films to address the AIDS epidemic head-on. With soul-stirring performances and a brilliant screenplay, the movie successfully instigated a discourse about HIV and AIDS in a culturally conservative society. The film's success also paved the way for further thought-provoking cinema revolving around challenging social issues.