"Complaint No. 713317," directed by Yasser Shafiey, delves into the lives of Magdy and Sama, a retired couple in their sixties residing in Cairo, whose tranquil existence is disrupted by a malfunctioning refrigerator. This seemingly mundane incident spirals into a dramatic and often comical confrontation with an opaque bureaucratic system and a corrupt repair service. Their struggle, set against the backdrop of an eroding middle class and a crumbling social infrastructure in Egypt, illuminates the profound impact of systemic failures on individual lives. The film stars celebrated Egyptian actors Mahmoud Hemida, Sherine, Hana Shiha, and Mohamed Radwan, and is set to premiere at the 55th International Film Festival Rotterdam on February 1st.
Shafiey describes the film as being about more than just a broken appliance; it's a journey into the deeper fractures beneath the surface of everyday life. The synopsis highlights how a simple repair request transforms into an absurd battle that exposes the quiet struggles of a couple facing economic hardship and a loss of personal agency. The narrative poignantly captures the emotional, psychological, and social burden of "Al Qahr"—a nuanced Arabic term that defies direct translation but encapsulates a profound sense of injustice and oppression, where fundamental rights are subtly and endlessly denied until it becomes an accepted way of life.
The film's quiet tone effectively conveys the insidious nature of "Al Qahr," which manifests not in explosions of anger but in the pervasive silence, endless delays, and widespread indifference that erode people's dignity and hope. The three exclusive clips from the film offer a glimpse into this world: one shows the futility of seeking help from multiple individuals, even an engineer; another features a frustrating negotiation for repair costs, highlighting the prevalence of dishonesty and the inadequacy of customer service; and the third portrays the perpetual delays and moral dilemmas that arise, with the broken fridge becoming a symbol of a chilled, unresponsive atmosphere. Ultimately, the film suggests that in such environments, people cease to expect improvements, quietly resigning themselves to their fate.
The film serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit in the face of daunting adversity. It prompts reflection on the universal experience of confronting bureaucratic hurdles and the importance of preserving one's sense of self-worth when systems fail. The story underscores the quiet strength found in continuing to seek justice and maintaining hope, even when faced with seemingly insurmountable challenges, and encourages empathy for those navigating similar struggles worldwide.