Screenings
August 31 16:00
DSEGH HOUSE OF CULTURE
Hoda – Mother on Hold
Egypt/Germany, 2024, 30’
in Arabic w/ Arm․/Eng․ subtitles
Original title: هدى – أم مع إيقاف التنفيذ
Director: Rabelle Erian
Scriptwriters: Ahmed Abdelmohsen, Rabelle Erian
Cinematographer: Rita Hajjar
Producer: Felizitas Hoffmann
Editor: Ahmed Abdelmohsen, Rabelle Erian
Sound: Nana Zaki
Production Company: University of Television and Film Munich
Hoda, a tattooed choir singer, Coptic Christian, and fighter against adversity, longed to have biological children, but her wish remained unfulfilled. However, twenty years ago, she encountered little Mariam while volunteering at a Coptic children’s home. Despite adoption being forbidden by law in Egypt, Hoda’s love for Mariam blossomed unconditionally, as if Mariam were her own daughter. However, their relationship is tested when Mariam falls in love with a young man, desires marriage, and gradually distances herself from Hoda. Simultaneously, Hoda cares for her aging mother. Their relationship has been fraught with conflict since Hoda’s childhood. Following a sexual assault, she found no protection from her own mother. The documentary explores the relationships among three women – mothers, daughters, and friends – across three generations in Egypt.
Rabelle Erian
Rabelle Erian is a film director and producer. Born and raised in Cairo, Egypt, she studied film directing at the University of Television and Film in Munich. She joined Fekra Film Studio in Aswan, Egypt, taking the lead of the film production department.
Filmography
COUZ (co-director Camille Tricaud, 2017), A re-enactment with Aydin Engin (2019), Billboards to Cairo (2019), For the record, my love (co-director Rita Hajjar, 2020), Hoda – Mother on Hold (2024).