Debut Screening: Restored Copy of Shadi Abdel Salam’s The Mummy
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In commemoration of acclaimed Director Shadi Abdel Salam's Birthday, the BA Arts Center and the BA Art Exhibitions and Collections Department are organizing the debut screening of the restored copy of Al-Momiaa (The Mummy: The Night of Counting the Years). The screening is set to be held on Sunday, 18 March 2018, BA Small Theater.
The film’s original copy was restored in 2009 at Cineteca di Bologna/L'Immagine Ritrovata Laboratory, Bologna, Italy. The restoration process was supported by the World Cinema Foundation, founded by renowned American director Martin Scorsese, and the Egyptian Ministry of Culture.
The film’s plot is Shadi Abdel Salam’s rendition of a well-known, true historical event that took place in 1881, known as “The Discovery of the Deir al-Bahari Cache”. The plot revolves around Wanis, a young man who had come to know of, after his father’s death, the secret cache of mummies that was often raided by the Horabat mountain tribe for livelihood. The cache contained the mummies of over 40 of the most renowned Pharaohs, which were relocated by the priests of Amon to a secret place in the mountains as a means of protection against vandalism and looting. The film’s events are set in a majestic atmosphere among the ruins of ancient Egyptian civilization.
It is noteworthy that the BA houses the World of Shadi Abdel Salam permanent exhibition, which includes the renowned director’s complete works, including design sketches, costume and accessory designs, and numerous cinematic shots from completed and uncompleted films. It also displays some of his personal belongings, such as the artist’s sketching and drawing tools, pieces of furniture that he designed, and his book collection. The exhibition also includes the “Horizons” Hall, where the films directed by Shadi Abdel Salam and a number of films in which he contributed as a set and costume designer are screened daily.
The debut film screening of the restored copy of Al-Momiaa is going to start at 7:00 pm, BA Small Theater, and it will be followed by a discussion about the film. The BA will offer admission to the World of Shadi Abdel Salam Exhibition during the screening, until 10:00 pm.