8 Arabic Movies That Explore Mental Illness
Step into the captivating world of Arabic cinema as it fearlessly tackles the complexities of mental illness. From side-splitting comedies to nail-biting suspense, these groundbreaking films dive deep into the human psyche.
Get ready for an enthralling journey as we unveil the best of Arabic movies, wherein entertainment and enlightenment intertwine.
Hata La Yatir Al Dokhan (1984)
Fahmi Abdel Hadi, an outstanding student at law school, has the best intentions and a pure heart. But when he can’t afford the cost of his mother’s medical treatment, and she dies, he gives up on idealism and exacts punishment on everyone who let him down.
- Directed by Ahmed Yehia
- Written by Ihsan Abdel Quddous
- Starring: Adel Imam, Soheir Ramzi, Ahmed Ratib, Nadia Arslan, Sanaa Shafea and Fikry Abaza
The Blue Elephant (2014)
Yehia, a man who returns to his job at El-Abbaseya psychiatric hospital after five years, oversees the psychological condition of a criminal.
- Directed by Marwan Hamed
- Written by Ahmed Morad
- Starring: Karim Abdel Aziz, Nelly Karim, Khaled El Sawy, Lebleba, Sherine Reda, Mohamed Mamdouh
Bi Elm El Wossul (2019)
A new mother, Hala is left all alone when her husband goes to jail. Fighting against her depression – and her fear of rejection – she fights for his freedom.
- Directed and written by Hisham Saqr
- Starring: Basma, Mohamed Sarhan, Basant Shawky, Rafel, Lubna Wanas, Mohamed Mansour
Anakid Allu Ghz (2019)
A young girl who joins a mental health facility while investigating her sister's death.
- Directed by Tamer Bassiouni
- Written by Nevin Amin
- Starring: Shimaa El Fadl, Hend, Mohamed Aghadeir, Al Saeed Mohamed Al Moqbel, Nojoud Ahmad, Sara El Yafi.
Rima (2020)
A little girl has a talent for foreseeing events before they unfold. Will her skill turn out to be a curse or a blessing for those around her?
- Directed by Moataz Hossam
- Scriptwriter Ahmed Anwar
- Starring: Reem Abdel Qader, Mohamed Tharwat, Hala Fakher, Maya Nasri, Firas Saeed, Ehab Fahmy
Maali Al Wazir (2002)
As the result of a misunderstanding, Ra'fat Rostumbecomes a minister. While hanging onto his office, he begins to experience terrible nightmares and begs his office manager to accompany him to the North Coast to stop the nightmares.
- Directed by Samir Seif
- Written by Waheed Hamed
- Starring: Ahmed Zaki, Yousra, Lebleba, Hisham Abdel Hamid, Omar Hariri, Mimi Gamal.
Ahmad Notirdam (2021)
The police are investigating a string of murders and kidnappings when a journalist discovers that the killer is infatuated with the concept of the Hunchback of Notre Dame. To find the killer, he pretends to be a similar character and assumes the name Ahmed Notre Dame.
- Directed by Mahmoud Karim
- Written by Louay Al-Sayed
- Starring: Ramez Jalal, Ghada Adel, Khaled El Sawy, Bayoumi Fouad, Hamdi El Merghany, Intisar.
Mesh Ana (2021)
When Hassan wakes up one morning without full control of his hands, he spends the next several days physically lashing out at friends, family, and members of the public, who refuse to believe his condition.Directed by Sarah Wafik
- Written by Tamer Hosny
- Starring: Tamer Hosny, Hala Shiha, Maged Al-Kedwany, Iyad Nassar, Sawsan Badr, Sherin