?Cairene streets through cinema: Hosted by award-winning Egyptian film director Bassam Mortada, Cinema Seify — or Summer Cinema — is a culturally rich podcast produced by Mada Masr. The podcast dissects iconic Egyptian movies, examining their social context at their time of production and their relevance in modern day Egypt.

Mortada’s delivery is what draws you in. Given his expertise as a filmmaker, Mortada utilizes his personal experiences within the industry — and his passion towards its inner workings — to divulge valuable insights in smooth narration that keeps listeners engaged and attentive. Whether or not you’re a cinephile, the podcast provides valuable knowledge about Egyptian society through time, and how its transformation was portrayed through cinema over the years.

In one particular episode titled Central Fi Gahim — Central on Fire — Mortada tells the story of Call Central, a mid 2000s Egyptian indie short film directed by Mohamed Hammad. The 30-minute episode narrates the events of the recent Ramses fire, which caused a complete blackout of communications, internet, and payment services, leaving Egyptians to reconsider what communication means to us. This notion is then discussed by both Mortada and Hammad, who dissect the events of the short film at hand, drawing similarities and bridging the gap between reality and fiction.

It’s all about the hook — and Cinema Seify cracked the code: Each episode manages to grasp your attention from the get-go, and each is published deliberately, coinciding with relevant cultural movements currently underway. The podcast does a commendable job at drawing connections between cinematic scenes and Cairene streets in a manner that leaves listeners eager to know what comes next.

WHERE TO LISTEN- You can listen to Cinema Seify on Spotify | Anghami | Apple Podcasts.

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