In her documentary, director Safaa Fathy tells the story of her brother Mohammad, who lived his whole life along the banks of the River Nile. The more polluted the water became, the sicker Mohammed got. A chronic kidney disease caused directly by the environment led to his early demise.

MOHAMMAD SAVED FROM THE WATERS is a poetic discovery of body, tradition, religion and family set in modern Egypt. All set against the backdrop of a revolution which – in the opinion of the director, Safaa Fathy – is also a fight for the integrity of the body and soul. In her Director’s Note for the World Cinema Fund, she writes, “Mohammad’s story also illustrates one of the greatest issues of our time: bioethics. The idea to do this film sprang from my sense of being powerless at seeing my brother wither away…“

Variety: Beautifully composed using several shooting formats, this almost regal portrait of distress deserves a place in fest lineups. […] The use of multiple formats highlights the closeness, making it seem as if the helmer picked up whatever kind of camera was on hand at any given moment. Despite the variety, she avoids a patchwork feel thanks to the strength of emotions and the skill of editor Pauline Casalis.

A Film by Safaa Fathy

Camera: Vincent Buron
Sound: Mustafa Shaaban
Editor: Pauline Casalis
Executive Producer: Delphine Morel
Co-Producers: Tamer El Said, Christian Popp

Produced by TS Productions in co-production with ZERO Productions and DOCDAYS Productions. Produced with support by the World Cinema Fund.

Length: 90 min
Release Date: 2012