Preparations are currently underway to produce a joint Egyptian Swiss film entitled al Sheikh Ibrahim which is based on the real story of the late Swiss traveler Abraham Frankil.
The Swiss traveler whose name was changed later to al Sheikh Ibrahim bin Abdulla, is considered the first European, who performed pilgrimage and visited the grave of Prophet Mohammed, may God have peace upon him, in 1789. He lived in Egypt and became Muslim and when he died his grave became a shrine attracting visitors from all over Egypt.
The film tells a romantic social story of the grandsons and granddaughters of the Swiss traveler. It is about meeting of souls through a Muslim Egyptian young man, descendant of Sheikh Ibrahim, who falls in love with a Swiss Christian girl, descendant also of Abraham. It shows how the two lovers face difficulties despite the fact that their root is the same which is Sheikh Ibrahim, the UAE daily al Bayan.
From the Egyptian side Khaled Mahmoud, Amr Waked, Hala Shiha and Sami al Adel were nominated to take starring roles in the film. The Swiss side is currently embarking on nominating an actress to take a starring role in the film to be directed by Musad Hindawi.
The Swiss Cultural Center, the French TV channel 5 and some production firms in the two countries will participate in the film’s production -- Albawaba.com
