Atef Hetata/ Egypt/France 1999/ 107 min/ 15/ Arabic with English subtitles

Its been posited many times that the sexual repression inherent in the Islamic faith may be a factor in turning some of its subscribers to a dangerous fundamentalism. An intriguing concept no doubt worthy of exploration, which is just what Atef Hetata’s award-scooping 1999 film so successfully does, something its status as a modern classic of Egyptian cinema confirms.

A host of detailed and highly naturalistic performances

Set during the Gulf War, we follow coming of age of adolescent schoolboy Mohamed Hussein (Ahmed Azmi), who lives with his mother Fatma (Sawsan Badr), having been abandoned by his father. As Mohamed’s sexual awakening begins to dominate his thoughts, he begins to feel shame, especially when harbouring disturbing thoughts about his own mother. Turning to his religion for help, he finds relief in adopting righteousness against the very sin he cannot face in himself. Soon his mother’s stoic spirit conflicts with his sense of moral duty.

Hetata delivers a technically assured and utterly compelling look into the dangers of repressing natural desires, and the ways in which they pop back up in more sinister ways. If the pace lacks at certain points, you’re always drawn back in by a host of detailed and highly naturalistic performances that lead you to an unbearably tense conclusion. A rich, illuminating and resonant film that will continue to be so for some time.

The Closed Doors showing @Filmhouse 18 Feb 20:45