Crocodopolis(2023)

Egypt, Germany, USA, Arabic, English - 75 min

Director

Omar Manjouneh

Color

Length

75 min

Language

Arabic, English

Producer

Laura Kloeckner, Kesmat Elsayed

INFORMATION

laura@seerafilms.org

Crocodopolis

Egypt, Germany, USA

LogLine

A passionate environmental researcher embarks on a daring mission to save Lake Nasser’s crocodiles from mysteriously disappearing. Can his experiment halt the extinction and safeguard the memory of an ancient ecosystem?

Synopsis

When environmental researcher Mohamed Ezat returns to Lake Nasser, he makes a shocking discovery: the identity of the lake he had known all his life has dramatically changed. Fishermen have taken control of the lake’s activities, surpassing their fishing habits to target the largest organism on the top of the lake’s food chain. Crocodile numbers have since decreased in an unimaginable way. Once worshiped as god-like creatures in the ancient kingdom, surviving in the waters for millions of years, today, within only a few decades, their existence risks extinction. This realization leads Ezat to take action. Together with a group of lone stars, he launches the first and only crocodile conservation unit in Egypt. The film tells the story of two friends starting from the moment they return to the lake and ending with the crocodile egg hatching season, the peak season for hunters and crocodile smugglers. At night we follow the crew on a suspenseful investigation across Africa’s largest artificial lake uncovering shadow networks of illegal wildlife trafficking. During the day their mission becomes a dreamy journey across the vast lake, taking us deeper into the ecosystem and the world of the young scientists whose isolation leads to a deep immersion with the magical worlds of the mythical creatures who guard the memory of a country on the brink of losing the connection to its past. But with dwindling crocodile sightings and harsh setbacks, tough decisions lie ahead. Is it time to give up or continue the mission?

Omar Manjouneh

Director

Director’s Statement

I met Mohamed Ezat in 2018 and was immediately fascinated by his dedication and passion for an overlooked and incredibly important cause. In the relationship of Amr Hadi and Mohamed Ezzat I found what left my heart no choice but to accompany them on that trip. Both started their mission with high hopes that it would lead them to advance their academic futures. My goal is to tell the story of the scientists’ world and the ecosystem they reside in which is itself isolated and full of magic. I am interested in their confrontation with the unknown and gradual association with the world of crocodiles, who seem to be the actual owners of this world, based on an ancient heritage of reverence for the ancient Egyptians. To those who roam the lake on their old boat, it reveals its aura as if it remained a witness to the untold history of Egypt's relationship with the environment since the dawn of history, even though the lake is artificial and human- mand only a few decades ago. Environmental stories have for too long been exclusively in the domain of white Western filmmakers, excluding our narratives. Crocodopolis seeks to shift these dynamics, both in front of and behind the camera. We are a team of Egyptian filmmakers with a substantial part, including the scientists, from Aswan, working closely with communities surrounding the lake throughout. I want to create an artistically captivating documentary road film to highlight a topic we can no longer afford to ignore.

Laura Kloeckner, Kesmat Elsayed

Producer

Producer’s Note

It is rare to find such passion and dedication for a cause that has little support. Omar brings us into a world and its characters that we would never have access to and he fills us with suspense, enchantment and empathy. The situation at Lake Nasser is a case in point for a global crisis in biodiversity and a plea for planetary coexistence. Crocodopolis immerses viewers into the ecosystem and landscapes of Lake Nasser, blending stunning cinematography with heartfelt storytelling. With unprecedented access, the film interweaves the world of the crocodiles with the narratives of the local communities and the lake itself, creating a powerful, genre-bending tapestry that challenges our perception of environmental storytelling and highlights the urgency of conservation efforts. With its inclusive approach, the film amplifies the voices of those directly involved, providing a platform for the local communities to share their stories and perspectives. We have an international co-production in place between the Wild Lense Collective from the USA, SEERA Films in Germany and SEE Media in Egypt. Determined to create reverberations for the dramatic situation far beyond the screen, the film is paired with a profound impact campaign supported by Aflamuna.


Producer’s Filmography

SEERA FILMS is an independent audiovisual production company with a presence in both Berlin (since 2022) and Cairo (since 2012). Our unwavering mission is to artfully tell stories that matter. As a group we work hard to bring life to stories to life that have social relevance, are underrepresented and transcend boundaries. Our filmography spans a diverse spectrum, encompassing intimate personal stories and immersive investigative pieces, continuously exploring innovative cinematic expressions. At the core of our endeavor lies the commitment to produce films originating fromArab-speaking and African filmmakers. SEERA FILMS was conceived from a deep-rooted belief in the potential of local talent and the conviction that local stories possess a universal resonance that deserves recognition on a global stage. We wholeheartedly invest in nurturing emerging talents, with a special focus on empowering women filmmakers. Our films have screened in renown local and international festivals, cinemas, TV and plat- forms.