Scheherazade, Tell Me a Story

Scheherazade, Tell Me a Story is a 2009 Egyptian drama film directed by Yousry Nasrallah and written by renowned scriptwriter Wahid Hamed. Adorned by the compelling performances of leading stars like Mona Zaki, Mahmoud Hemida, and Hasan El-Raddad, the film captures the ethos of contemporary Egyptian society through women's perspectives. At its heart, it embeds a multifaceted narrative of feminism, love, loyalty, and societal norms.

The title of the film, 'Scheherazade, Tell Me a Story,' revisits the legendary Persian queen and storyteller, Scheherazade, from 'One Thousand and One Nights.' But unlike the legendary queen who told stories to survive, the stories in this film are tightly interconnected accounts of courageous women surviving their oppressive society.

Mona Zaki, one of Egypt's most talented and popular actresses, plays the central character Hebba, a successful, modern TV talk show host in Cairo. As a woman who has broken glass ceilings in a patriarchal society, She is unapologetically ambitious, fiercely independent, and unabashedly questions power. Mahmoud Hemida depicts Hebba's husband Karim, a nimble and ambitious journalist vying to become the editor-in-chief of his newspaper. Hasan El-Raddad, in a supporting role, amplifies the conflict within the tale, further strengthening the engaging narrative.

The plot gains momentum as Karim, under pressure from the government-backed newspaper he works for, persuades Hebba to pivot her show's focus from divisive political controversies to 'woman’s issues.' Wishing to support her husband's aspirations without compromising her ideals, Hebba agrees. She begins to invite ordinary women onto her show to share their stories.

What unfolds are tales of shocking human tragedy, which, despite Karim's hopes, end up becoming politically charged. It appears that what men considered 'lighter fare' of women's stories becomes extremely political. The stories bring to light the harsh realities of domestic abuse, societal norms, power imbalance, sexual exploitation, and systemic abuses suffered by women. Each tale reiterates that the personal is political, inadvertently stirring up societal dynamics and questioning the terms set by men.

Throughout the film, Yousry Nasrallah skilfully merges the narrative's multiple layers, masterfully blending the stories within the story. Each subplot adds a new dimension to the movie without seeming disconnected from the main storyline, with Hebba's personal journey serving as a unifying thread.

Mona Zaki's powerful performance as Hebba anchors the film, fervently embodying the paradoxes of her character. Her multifaceted portrayal of a woman stuck in the maelstrom of societal norms is magnetic and emotionally stirring. Mahmoud Hemida's portrayal of Karim is equally impressive, as he galvanizes the narrative, masterfully embodying the complexities and contradictions of his character. Not to be overlooked are the unparalleled performances of the women who share their heartbreaking stories on Hebba's show, adding depth and authenticity to the narrative.

Director Yousry Nasrallah has been known for his gripping narratives and gritty depiction of societal issues in previous works. In Scheherazade, Tell Me a Story, he achieves this yet again, painting a stark picture of familial conflicts, gender-based violence, and political corruption. At the same time, he critically analyses the instrumentalization of women's bodies to maintain the patriarchal framework.

A unique element of the movie is its narrative structure that changes as the stories progress, reminiscent of the shifting tales within 'One Thousand and One Nights.' Such a framework not only holds the audience's attention but also accentuates the dramatic impact of the narrative.

Scheherazade, Tell Me a Story successfully uses fairy tales' age-old mechanism to shed light on complex issues. By juxtaposing the microcosm of home with the macrocosm of society, it unearths the deep-rooted institutionalization of patriarchal systems. The film is a brutally honest narrative, challenging its audience and demanding reflection about societal norms, honoring the spirit of its eponymous queen, Scheherazade, who told stories to provoke and survive.