Egyptian drama film “Colonia” (2025), also known as “My Father’s Scent”, officially opens in Egyptian theaters on Wednesday.
The film’s public release spans 22 screens across Cairo, with an additional eight locations across Alexandria and other governorates.
A wider regional release across the Arab world is scheduled for January 15.
The theatrical debut follows a prestigious run on the festival circuit.
“Colonia” secured the Audience Award for Best International Film at the Red Sea International Film Festival and claimed both the Grand Prix and the Cineuropa Award at the Brussels Mediterranean Film Festival (CinemaMed).
Additionally, the film earned a Best Production Design award for Assem Ali at the Carthage Film Days.
Lead actor Ahmed Malek garnered significant acclaim for his performance, receiving the Creative Achievement Award at the Fajr International Film Festival and the Best Actor trophy at the El Gouna Film Festival.
A powerful debut
Directed by Mohamed Siam in his feature narrative debut, Colonia revolves around a tense evening where a father and son are forced to confront their shared memories and long-standing grievances in an attempt to mend their fractured relationship.
Siam co-wrote the screenplay with Ahmed Amer.
Besides Malek, the film features an ensemble cast including Kamel al-Basha, Mayan al-Sayed, Abed Anani, Donia Maher, and Hala Marzouk. It is produced by Mohamed Hefzy and Mohamed Siam, in collaboration with producers Ingrid Lill Høgtun, Fadi Attallah, and Guillaume de Seille.
The production was made possible through the support of several international institutions, including the Red Sea Fund, Sorfond, the Norwegian South Film Fund, the International Organization of La Francophonie, Visions Sud Est, and the Doha Film Institute.
It also participated in industry platforms such as Venice’s “Final Cut,” El Gouna’s “CineGouna,” the Malmö Co-Production Market, the Swedish Film Institute, Karlovy Vary’s “Eastern Promises,” and the Cairo Film Connection.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
