Molasses (Assal Eswad) عسل إسود

Review by Heba Assem and Andrew Eaddy

The Short 

In this comedic yet discerning movie, emigrant Masry returns home to Egypt after many years for his father’s funeral, to find that the country he once knew has undergone substantial changes during his time away. The literal translation is ‘Black Honey’

The Long 

An Egyptian photographer’s daily life upon his return to Egypt after spending 20 years in America, which was so hard to cope with. He lost his American passport which was a turning point in his life because he was struggling to understand people and he suffered a lot. His friend's family stood by him giving him all kinds of support he needed not to feel like a stranger. Despite all these struggles and adventures that might leave negative vibes of living in Egypt, he couldn't resist the warmth and kindness he found in his homeland.

The movie follows Masry as he struggles to understand the Egypt he has discovered after returning. As he acclimates, Masry reconnects with old friends, immerses himself in Modern Egyptian culture, and gains a fuller understanding of what it truly means to be Egyptian. Through this documentation of Masry’s journey, Molasses explores issues of culture, politics, history, and identity as they pertain to the Middle East.

To watch or not to watch? 

Watch! You will not be able to stop laughing at his continuous miseries and struggles. It's a light drama-comedy film which will give you a very special perspective of Egypt and its people. This movie is both genuinely hilarious, and extremely insightful. The film provides an in-depth look at the experience many emigrants face: what do you do when the home you remember is not the same as the home you see today?