The Sira is one of the great epic poems of the Arab world. Composed of over five million verses that depict a world of eternal love and legendary war and peace, this monument of oral culture now rests on the fragile shoulders of Sayyed el-Dawwy, a renowned performer of 80. As he journeys from one recital hall to the next in his beloved Egypt, this living legend-he has lost none of his onstage charisma-is fortunately not alone. His grandson Ramadan has agreed to take over from him. But how can he transfer such knowledge when a world separates the two men? Is Ramadan talented enough to adapt the Sira so that it resonates once more, with a generation brought up on pop music and soaps?

Director : Sandra Gysi, Ahmed Abdel Mohsen
Country : Switzerland
Year : 2011
Language : Arabic
Subtitles : French
Duration : 77 min
Picture : Peter Liechti, Ahmed Abdel Mohsen, Sandra Gysi
Editor : Anja Bombelli, Marcel Derek Ramsay, Sandra Gysi, Ahmed Abdel Mohsen
Sound : Ramon Orza
Production : Franziska Reck
CONTACT
Andrea Bürgi
info@reckfilm.ch