A NOSE AND THREE EYES

An adaptation of the late Egyptian literary colossus Ihssan Abdoulkoudos’s novel of the same name, this charming film examines the life of a man torn between three women. Hashem, a prominent plastic surgeon in his late ‘40s, consults Aliaa the psychiatrist to help explain his attraction to a much younger woman, Ruba, who manages his social media account. Wondering if Ruba may resemble Hashem’s mother, Aliaa instructs him to start writing a journal about his past relationships. Hashem is doubtful but, when he runs into another former flame on his way out of Aalia’s rooms, the pieces start to fall into place. Dhafer L’Abidine gives a compelling performance in a film that continues Egyptian cinema’s tradition of honouring Arab literature.