“Queen of Cotton” Shines in Cairo – Lead Actress: Filmed in Egypt, Spotlight on Sudanese Gender Divide

Cairo – Sudanhorizon – Sabah Moussa

In a striking artistic atmosphere reflecting the growing presence of Sudanese cinema on the regional stage, Cairo hosted a special screening on Monday of the film “Queen of Cotton” by director Suzannah Mirghani. The event was attended by the film’s creators, along with a distinguished group of artists and critics. It was preceded by open media sessions bringing together the film’s team—an indication of the increasing interest in the work, which has received wide critical acclaim since its world premiere, in addition to winning several international awards.

A New Milestone

This event coincides with the film’s release in Egyptian cinemas, marking a new milestone in its journey—especially following its success at international festivals.

The film tackles human and social issues that reflect the reality of Sudan and its challenges, produced under exceptional circumstances imposed by war and displacement.

The evening stood out as a unique cultural moment embraced by Cairo, where cinema intersected with a complex human reality, portraying the stories of a people facing harsh challenges. Despite the war and instability in Sudan, the filmmakers prove that creativity does not break under crises; rather, it emerges stronger and deeper from them.

The film carries a message that transcends the screen: art remains one of the most powerful forms of soft resistance and a means of preserving identity and memory in times of turmoil. From the heart of Cairo, “Queen of Cotton” sends a message of hope—that Sudan’s voice will remain present regardless of circumstances, and that creativity can always find its way, even in the darkest moments.

Second Experience

Sudanese actress Mihyad Murtada, the film’s lead, stated that she balances acting and singing, noting that her role in “Queen of Cotton” marks her second artistic experience after participating in the Sudanese short film “Al-Sit” in 2020, which also brought her together with director Suzannah Mirghani and the same production team.

Inner Conflict

In an exclusive statement to Sudanhorizon, Mihyad explained that the film sheds light on contrasts within Sudanese women’s society. It presents two different models: one of a powerful woman who asserts control and commands an aura of authority, and the other of Nafisa—a simple girl striving to achieve her modest dreams and live freely, only to confront family constraints and expectations from her parents and grandmother, who envision a different path for her.

She added that the film portrays the internal conflict the character experiences between her personal desires and family pressures, which is clearly reflected in her relationships with her relatives.

Filming in Egypt

Mihyad noted that filming took place in Egypt due to the war in Sudan. The team made significant efforts to find an environment resembling Sudan, eventually selecting a cotton farm in Cairo, where an entire village was constructed to accurately replicate Sudanese life.

She said the success of their previous collaboration in “Al-Sit” gave them strong confidence in “Queen of Cotton”’s ability to achieve wide recognition. She described the film as lighthearted and relatable to audiences, adding that working in Egypt was easier due to cultural and linguistic similarities, as well as comparable natural environments. She emphasized that Egypt is culturally the closest country to Sudanese people and expressed hope that the film would achieve great success in Egyptian cinemas. She also revealed ongoing efforts to screen the film in Sudan in the near future.

A Realistic Portrayal

The film’s lead highlighted that director Suzannah Mirghani—Sudanese on her father’s side and Russian on her mother’s—resides in Qatar and works as an academic researcher. She has conducted multiple studies on Sudan and lived there for a period, which is reflected in her artistic vision. This, along with a production team experienced in Sudanese culture, contributed to presenting a realistic depiction in the film.

Mihyad considers “Queen of Cotton” the beginning of a new generation of Sudanese filmmakers with promising ideas, though they face challenges in execution, especially as many productions rely on independent efforts. She stressed the importance of supporting young talents to produce competitive works.

New Perspectives

Mihyad pointed out that the film is part of a wave signaling the revival of Sudanese cinema, alongside “You Will Die at Twenty” by Amjad Abu Alala and “Goodbye Julia” by Mohamed Kordofani, in addition to several documentaries. She emphasized that Sudan is witnessing notable development in this field, with emerging voices and visions.

She concluded with a message to Sudanese women amid the war, urging them to remain strong, as they are the backbone of society and the foundation of every home. She also addressed those who committed violations against women during the war in Sudan, stressing that justice will prevail and that all disputes will ultimately be settled before God.

Film Synopsis

“Queen of Cotton” is written and directed by Suzannah Mirghani and stars Mihyad Murtada, Rabaa Mohamed Mahmoud, Talaat Farid, Haram Bashir, Mohamed Moussa, and Hassan Kassala.

The story is set in a Sudanese village dependent on cotton farming and follows a girl named Nafisa, who grows up hearing her grandmother’s stories of resistance against colonialism. Her life changes with the arrival of a businessman seeking to introduce modern agricultural techniques using genetically modified seeds, igniting a conflict between tradition and modernization and placing her before a decisive test regarding the future and identity of her village.

The film has won several international awards, most recently the Special Jury Prize for Best Film (Silver Mask) at the 15th Luxor African Film Festival—further affirming its strong presence on both the African and international cinematic stage.

Shortlink: https://sudanhorizon.com/?p=13549