Microphone is the story of Khaled, an Egyptian ex-pat returning to Alexandria after years of exile. Hoping to mend his relationship with his father and rekindle an old romance, he is disappointed to find his relationship with his father broken beyond repair and his lover about to immigrate. Disappointed and alone, Khaled discovers Alexandria's underground art scene; hip-hop MC's performing on sidewalks, female rock musicians on rooftops and graffitti artists attacking the city at night.
Despite limited resources, Khaled supports this burgeoning arts scene in the hopes of drawing attention to the diversity of his city. But, no one lives in isolation and Khaled's private life soon collides with the movement.
"It’s impossible not to watch all this in the context of post-Mubarak Egypt, and while this film was made well before recent events (and is very much an Alexandria story), the elements of a young people’s revolution are all here. They’re fed up, and frustration feeds their art. Abdalla interweaves elements of cinema verité, and the film feels like a potent slice of Alexandrian life in all its vibrancy and frustration." - Benjamin Friedland
Recognition and Awards
2011 Golden Tulip from Istanbul International Film Festival
2010 Best Arabic-language film Award from Cairo International Film Festival
2010 Best Film from Alexandria International Film Festival
2010 Tanit d'or from Journées cinématographiques de Carthage
2010 Best Editing Award from Dubai International Film Festival