? Family dynamics and childhood trauma in My Father’s Scent (Kulunia): After participating in numerous festivals over the past year, director Mohamed Siam’s film My Father's Scent (screening as Kulunia in Egypt) has finally begun made it to the big screen in Egyptian and Arab theaters. It marks a truly promising start to the new year for audiences.

Farouk (Ahmed Malek) is a troubled young man struggling with depression, drowning in melancholy and substance abuse — pathways he turned to following his mother’s death and his strained relationship with his father, Omar (Kamel El Basha), and his brother. The film opens with the father waking up from a months-long coma, and upon returning home, Farouk’s older brother asks him to care for their father for just one night.

The relationship between Farouk and Omar is turbulent, dry, and incredibly harsh, underscored by internal anger and resentment. The father views his son as a total failure, while the son sees his father as negligent, cruel, and absent. During this bleak winter night, the two are trapped together in the house, forced to confront the ghosts and memories of the past.

The film offers an excellent depiction of complex, human emotions and family dynamics. Perhaps the finest choice made by the filmmakers was to steer completely clear of dialogue clichés typical of this genre. Artistically expressing childhood trauma and dysfunctional family dynamics is thorny territory that can easily devolve into dramatic confrontations, flowery speeches, and clear-cut blame or guilt as the end nears.

In reality, many true stories are open-ended, without apologies, reconciliation, or justification. The film portrays that adeptly, with stellar performances across the board. Malek proved he can talk the talk and walk the walk, showing exactly why he walked away with Best Actor at El Gouna Film Festival for the role. El Basha’s portrayal of Omar was notable as well, with the seasoned actor mastering a flawless Alexandrian accent, and delivering an impactful emotional performance. We’d be remiss not to mention Mayan El Sayed’s appearance, which we found charming, bringing a sort of lightness to an otherwise heavy production.

Speaking of production — the filmmakers hit all the right marks. From the choice of Alexandria as a setting, to the color grading, and even the inclusion of the storms synonymous with the coastal city’s winter, down to the sound of Abdel Halim Hafez playing in the background, the film utilized every single element possible to reflect the turbulent state of its protagonists. While, truth be told, we did notice some minor logical lapses, they did not distract from the film, which succeeded on all fronts in our humble opinion.

WHERE TO WATCH IT- The film is screening at Vox Cinemas at City Center Almaza, Mall of Egypt, and Mall of Alexandria, as well as Citystars, D5 and CFCM’s Scene Cinema, Cima Arkan, P90, and Zawya. Watch the trailer on YouTube (runtime: 1:59).

AND- A movie we think lost the plot: Gawaza Wla Ganaza, starring Nelly Karim, Sherif Salama, Entisar, and a host of other stars, tells the story of Tamara (Karim) and Hassan (Salama), who are preparing for their grand wedding at a stunning nature resort in the heart of the Fayoum desert.

Tamara and Hassan’s families are as different as night and day. Tamara’s family comes from old money, though circumstances have shifted, forcing them to accept a union with Hassan’s family — who, in the eyes of the bride’s mother (Lebleba), are unworthy. On the other hand, Hassan’s family thank their new money status to their importance in the world of butchery, amassing wealth recently after years of poverty.

Despite the friction, the couple insists on the marriage, albeit for different reasons. Tamara sees the union as a way to secure the future of her only son from a previous marriage, while Hassan believes she is a perfect match and that their life together will be meaningful. These fundamental differences are meant to transform into comedic paradoxes... presumably.

The main issue with this film is its lack of soul. The breathtaking landscapes, Nelly Karim’s truly dazzling costumes (which we undoubtedly admired), and the loud soundtrack could not compensate for the absence of a strong, genuine story. The dialogue felt weak, and the narrative was erratic and strange.

Furthermore, the characters lacked solid dramatic construction. This left the audience — us included — in a never-ending state of confusion. Personal motives were unclear, and those that did emerge during the events were, unfortunately, unconvincing. Even the comedy was largely absent, barely managing to squeeze out a shy chuckle here or a faint smile there.

Our verdict? This is a film fit for a casual watch on your living room sofa — as long as you don't expect more from it than it can actually deliver.

However, if you insist on seeing it… The film is screening at Vox Cinemas in City Center Almaza, Mall of Egypt, and Mall of Alexandria, as well as Citystars, CFCM and D5’s Scene Cinema, Cima Arkan, and P90. Watch the trailer on YouTube (runtime: 1:43).

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