The Virgin, the Copts and Me
North American Premiere

The Virgin, the Copts and Me

World Documentary Competition
| France, Qatar | 85 MINUTES | Arabic, French
Documentary
In his feature debut, French-Egyptian filmmaker Namir Abdel Messeeh sets out for Cairo to investigate the phenomenon of miraculous Virgin Mary apparitions in Egypt's Coptic Christian community. As he seeks out witnesses to the well-known 1968 sighting in Zeitoun, where hundreds of thousands of people claimed to see a vision of a hovering Virgin Mary, the professed secular skeptic Namir quickly discovers that no one within the church will agree to speak with him. Without the cooperation of the Coptic community, and facing opposition from his traditional family and skittish producers unwilling to fund his aimless project, Namir changes course and travels to his birth village hoping to find answers. There, against his mother's initial forbiddance, he reconnects with long-lost relatives and a provincial life so foreign from his own.

Slowly gaining the trust of his extended family, and that of his doubtful, yet devoted mother, Namir enlists all of their help to reimagine his film as a touching and often hilarious portrait of family and heritage. Ultimately, and in a breathtaking conclusion, the journey leads an entire village to discover the power of community and for Namir, an individual recognition of spirituality.

After the Movie (4/25 only): Stay for a conversation with director Namir Abdel Messeeh, filmmaker Sameh Zoabi, screenwriter/novelist/journalist Rula Jebreal, and Associate Professor and Director of the Integrated Media Arts MFA Program at Hunter College CUNY Andrew Lund on cultural identity and contemporary international filmmakers who explore diaspora identities and a journey to their roots. Moderated by film critic Glenn Kenny.

Cast & Credits
Directed by
Namir Abdel Messeeh
Namir Abdel Messeeh is a French filmmaker of Egyptian origin. He had the idea for The Virgin, the Copts and Me after watching a videotape of the Virgin Mary's apparition in Egypt with his Coptic Christian mother.
Director of Photography
Nicolas Duchêne
Producer
Namir Abdel Messeeh
Screenwriter
Namir Abdel Messeeh, Nathalie Najem, Anne Paschetta
Director
Namir Abdel Messeeh
Editor
Sébastien de Sainte Croix

Panelists

Rula Jebreal

Safinez Bousbia

Andrew Lund

Kim Nguyen

Namir Abdel Messeeh

Sameh Zoabi


Contacts
Submitter
Daniella Elstner
Doc & Film International
13, rue Porte Foin Paris, 75003
Phone: + 33 682546685
d.elstner@docandfilm.com
Moderator
Glenn Kenny
Premiere magazine
Phone: 212-767-5415
glennkenny@mac.com
Foreign Sales Contact
Daniela Elstner
Doc & Film International
13 rue Portefoin Paris, 75003
Phone: +33 1 42 77 56 87
sales@docandfilm.com
http://www.docandfilm.com
Print Source
Hwa-Seon Choi
Doc & Film International
13 rue Portefoin Paris, 75003
Phone: +33 1 42 77 56 87
hs.choi@docandfilm.com
* Rush Tickets available at venue except for
Beacon Theatre
Rush will be offered when advanced tickets for a screening or event are no longer available at venues other than Beacon Theatre.
The Rush system functions as a standby line that will form at the venue approximately one hour prior to scheduled start time. Admittance is based on availability and will begin roughly 10 minutes prior to program start time. Rush Tickets are the same price as advance tickets and are payable upon entry.

 

The Tribeca Talks: After the Movie is sponsored by:

 

Newsletter

Subscribe for festival news, exclusive offers, programming updates, and more!
Get Festival Updates

Tribeca Festival Partners

Presenting Partner
Signature Partners
Presenting Partner
Signature Partners
Presenting Partner
Signature Partners
Presenting Partner
Supporters
Presenting Partner
Friends of the Festival
Presenting Partner
Media Friends of the Festival
Presenting Partner
Media Friends of the Festival
Presenting Partner
Industry Partners
See all partners