Fady Elsayed, left, and James Floyd in My Brother the Devil In what has been widely hailed a masterful debut from Egyptian screenwriter and director Sally El Hosaini, UK film My Brother the Devil weaves an intricate tale of two young Egyptian immigrants growing up on the streets of East London.The film was shortlisted at the London Film Festival, Berlin Panorama and Sundance festival as well as winning numerous awards, including Best European Film (Europa Award) and best newcomer for Hosaini (London Film Festival).
Delving into the themes of prejudice and identity, the story follows two brothers as they struggle to find their place within a gangland culture mired in drugs and violence. Hosaini believes that her interest in the people on the margins of society has encouraged her to tackle a very real and very prevalent topic; the alienation of today’s youth. The film excels in its gritty portrayal of the young men forming relationships, and links them together through alienation and a shared polarised world view.
Credited with tackling the taboos of sexuality and masculinity, My Brother the Devil Fights marks Hosaini as a distinct and visionary voice in British cinema.
“To me, My Brother the Devil is a film about the power of unconditional love” said Hosaini, but “ultimately it’s about the courage it takes to be different, to be yourself.”
Having already been released in the UK in October 2012, the film was made available for worldwide release on March 22 this year.