DIRECTOR: Hani Khalifa
STARRING: Mona Zaki, Mohamed Farag, Mohamed Mamdouh, Mohamed Alaa
RUNNING TIME: 1 hr 39 minutes
LANGUAGE: Arabic
A few days before she plans to travel to Mecca to perform Hajj, Ghada faces an emergency which forces her to reach out to people from her tainted past with whom she had cut off contact in order to collect a large sum of money.
***
Flight 404 is the latest film from director Hani Khalifa. The film had its worldwide debut in Egypt on January 25, 2024. Flight 404 has scored more than 450,000 admissions across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, breaking Egyptian box office records for a female-led film and proceeding to top box office charts in Saudi Arabia for four consecutive weeks, according to distributor Front Row Filmed Entertainment. The film also won the Special Jury Award (Tutankhamun’s Silver Mask), and the Best Actress Award for Mona Zaki at the 13th edition of the Luxor African Film Festival. It was nominated in four categories for the 2024 Septimius Awards: Best Soundtrack, Best Director, Best Cinematography and Best African Film.
The film selection committee released a statement announcing the news on their official Facebook page of the Egyptian Screen Actors Guild, expressing that choosing a movie to represent Egypt in the Oscars wasn't easy because commercial movies are dominating the cinematic production in Egypt.
The film is produced by Mohamed Hefzy and Shahinaz Al-Akkad through their production companies Film Clinic and Lagoonie Film Production, in co-production with Saudi Arabia’s Pictures Entertainment Group and Hi Media Production.
Flight 404 is a thriller drama and it was filmed in Cairo, Egypt.
To check out all previous submissions for Egypt, click HERE.
STARRING: Mona Zaki, Mohamed Farag, Mohamed Mamdouh, Mohamed Alaa
RUNNING TIME: 1 hr 39 minutes
LANGUAGE: Arabic
A few days before she plans to travel to Mecca to perform Hajj, Ghada faces an emergency which forces her to reach out to people from her tainted past with whom she had cut off contact in order to collect a large sum of money.
***
Flight 404 is the latest film from director Hani Khalifa. The film had its worldwide debut in Egypt on January 25, 2024. Flight 404 has scored more than 450,000 admissions across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, breaking Egyptian box office records for a female-led film and proceeding to top box office charts in Saudi Arabia for four consecutive weeks, according to distributor Front Row Filmed Entertainment. The film also won the Special Jury Award (Tutankhamun’s Silver Mask), and the Best Actress Award for Mona Zaki at the 13th edition of the Luxor African Film Festival. It was nominated in four categories for the 2024 Septimius Awards: Best Soundtrack, Best Director, Best Cinematography and Best African Film.
The film selection committee released a statement announcing the news on their official Facebook page of the Egyptian Screen Actors Guild, expressing that choosing a movie to represent Egypt in the Oscars wasn't easy because commercial movies are dominating the cinematic production in Egypt.
The film is produced by Mohamed Hefzy and Shahinaz Al-Akkad through their production companies Film Clinic and Lagoonie Film Production, in co-production with Saudi Arabia’s Pictures Entertainment Group and Hi Media Production.
Flight 404 is a thriller drama and it was filmed in Cairo, Egypt.
To check out all previous submissions for Egypt, click HERE.
FILM REVIEW:
(This review contains spoilers.)
“Life’s tough. That’s how God created it. But the more you get crushed and bear it, the bigger your reward.”
Flight 404 is a captivating Egyptian drama that dives into the complex themes of redemption, faith, and the inescapable pull of the past. At its core, the film follows Ghada, portrayed with remarkable nuance by Mona Zaki, as she grapples with a financial crisis and moral dilemma just days before her pilgrimage to Mecca. The narrative is layered and compelling, drawing viewers into Ghada’s world where personal mistakes and societal pressures seem to conspire against her desire for a fresh start. Director Hani Khalifa has crafted a story that resonates universally, appealing not only to those of faith but to anyone who has struggled to break free from the shadows of their past.
Mona Zaki’s performance as Ghada is truly mesmerizing and arguably one of her best to date. She brings both vulnerability and strength to her character, capturing the essence of a woman torn between two worlds. As Ghada faces one difficult choice after another, Zaki's portrayal makes her struggles feel real, relatable, and deeply emotional. Her expressive range allows audiences to feel the weight of Ghada’s past regrets and her hopes for redemption. Zaki’s performance elevates the film, making it not just a story about one woman’s journey but a reflection of the universal struggle for forgiveness and self-acceptance.
Hani Khalifa’s direction and the film’s cinematography are standout elements, enriching the storytelling with a visual elegance that complements Ghada's emotional journey. Khalifa uses the camera to capture the intensity of Ghada’s experiences, balancing close-up shots that reveal her inner turmoil with broader, atmospheric scenes that heighten the suspense. Each setting feels carefully chosen to echo Ghada’s struggles, creating a visual narrative that complements her path to redemption. Khalifa’s attention to detail and his ability to convey emotion through imagery give the film a rich, layered quality that draws viewers in from start to finish.
The supporting cast also adds depth to the film, each actor contributing to the story in a meaningful way. Their interactions with Ghada help to shape her journey, underscoring the societal pressures and personal conflicts she faces. The subtle performances of the supporting cast help highlight the film’s central themes without detracting from Ghada's arc. Each character is a piece of her story, bringing a level of authenticity that adds to the film’s overall impact.
Flight 404 is a deeply moving exploration of faith, resilience, and the price of personal redemption. Khalifa’s thoughtful direction, combined with Zaki’s powerful performance, creates a narrative that feels both specific and universally relatable. The film lingers long after the credits roll, leaving viewers with much to reflect upon about the choices we make and the ties that bind us to our pasts. Flight 404 is a must-watch, a poignant reminder of the strength it takes to seek a new beginning while facing the consequences of one’s past.
(This review contains spoilers.)
“Life’s tough. That’s how God created it. But the more you get crushed and bear it, the bigger your reward.”
Flight 404 is a captivating Egyptian drama that dives into the complex themes of redemption, faith, and the inescapable pull of the past. At its core, the film follows Ghada, portrayed with remarkable nuance by Mona Zaki, as she grapples with a financial crisis and moral dilemma just days before her pilgrimage to Mecca. The narrative is layered and compelling, drawing viewers into Ghada’s world where personal mistakes and societal pressures seem to conspire against her desire for a fresh start. Director Hani Khalifa has crafted a story that resonates universally, appealing not only to those of faith but to anyone who has struggled to break free from the shadows of their past.
Mona Zaki’s performance as Ghada is truly mesmerizing and arguably one of her best to date. She brings both vulnerability and strength to her character, capturing the essence of a woman torn between two worlds. As Ghada faces one difficult choice after another, Zaki's portrayal makes her struggles feel real, relatable, and deeply emotional. Her expressive range allows audiences to feel the weight of Ghada’s past regrets and her hopes for redemption. Zaki’s performance elevates the film, making it not just a story about one woman’s journey but a reflection of the universal struggle for forgiveness and self-acceptance.
Hani Khalifa’s direction and the film’s cinematography are standout elements, enriching the storytelling with a visual elegance that complements Ghada's emotional journey. Khalifa uses the camera to capture the intensity of Ghada’s experiences, balancing close-up shots that reveal her inner turmoil with broader, atmospheric scenes that heighten the suspense. Each setting feels carefully chosen to echo Ghada’s struggles, creating a visual narrative that complements her path to redemption. Khalifa’s attention to detail and his ability to convey emotion through imagery give the film a rich, layered quality that draws viewers in from start to finish.
The supporting cast also adds depth to the film, each actor contributing to the story in a meaningful way. Their interactions with Ghada help to shape her journey, underscoring the societal pressures and personal conflicts she faces. The subtle performances of the supporting cast help highlight the film’s central themes without detracting from Ghada's arc. Each character is a piece of her story, bringing a level of authenticity that adds to the film’s overall impact.
Flight 404 is a deeply moving exploration of faith, resilience, and the price of personal redemption. Khalifa’s thoughtful direction, combined with Zaki’s powerful performance, creates a narrative that feels both specific and universally relatable. The film lingers long after the credits roll, leaving viewers with much to reflect upon about the choices we make and the ties that bind us to our pasts. Flight 404 is a must-watch, a poignant reminder of the strength it takes to seek a new beginning while facing the consequences of one’s past.
