The Egyptian-Saudi film "The Tale of Daye’s Family" to open RSIFF 2024

The Red Sea International Film Festival (RSIFF) has announced the world premiere of Egyptian-Saudi co-production "The Tale of Daye’s Family" as the opening night gala film for its fourth edition. The film is a poignant exploration of tolerance, ambition, and the transformative power of music, and underscores the Festival's commitment to showcasing the best of Arab cinema.

"The Tale of Daye’s Family" tells the story of an 11-year-old Nubian albino with a beautiful voice, who faces adversity due to his unique appearance. Abandoned by his father and bullied by his peers, he dreams of following in the footsteps of his idol, singer and actor Mohamed Mounir. When he gets a chance to audition for "The Voice", Daye and his family embark on a perilous journey from Aswan to Cairo.

Directed by the critically acclaimed Egyptian filmmaker Karim Shenawy, the film promises to bring a fresh and compelling vision to the screen. The selection of "The Tale of Daye’s Family" as the opening night film reinforces the Red Sea International Film Festival's dedication to supporting and promoting Arab filmmakers and fostering the growth of the film industry in the wider region.

Saudi award-winning actress and singer Aseel Omran embarks on a new chapter with her debut in Egyptian cinema with “The Tale of Daye’s Family". The film is written by acclaimed Egyptian screenwriter Haitham Dabbour, whose notable experience in Saudi cinema includes the success of, "A Stand Worthy of Men", which became Saudi Arabia's highest-grossing film of 2021.

Shivani Pandya Malhotra, Managing Director for the Red Sea International Film Festival, said: “The Red Sea International Film Festival is delighted to present the world premiere of 'The Tale of Daye’s Family' as our opening night film. This moving story is set against the backdrop of the vibrant Egyptian independent cinematic resurgence – an undercurrent of this year’s Festival. The film’s universal themes of hope and resilience will undoubtedly resonate deeply with audiences and spark important conversations.”