In Search of Oil and Sand (2012)

Oil and Sand was an extravagant film made by members of the Egyptian royal family and a few friends and relatives in 1952 about a coup d'état, shot just weeks before the royals were overthrown in a real coup. The completed Technicolor film was destroyed by the director in fear that it would be used as propaganda against the ousted monarchy. Following Mahmoud Sabit, the man who found the original 8mm reels and who is himself a relation of the late king of Egypt, this documentary focuses on the reconstruction of the film's story, its array of real life players, and the political circumstances surrounding the shoot. This uncanny marriage of fiction and reality reveals that the original film not only managed to unwittingly predict the fate of the King, but also foresaw the next 60 years of relations between Egypt and the West.

Director: Philippe Dib, Wael Omar
Genre: Documentary
Runtime: 58 min
Release Date:

Screenplay

Production: Middle West Films, Sarakene
Country: Egypt, United States of America
Language: Français, العربية, English
Original Language: ar
More Films by Director: Philippe Dib, Wael Omar
More Films in Genre: Documentary

Frequently Asked Questions

What is In Search of Oil and Sand about?
Oil and Sand was an extravagant film made by members of the Egyptian royal family and a few friends and relatives in 1952 about a coup d'état, shot just weeks before the royals were overthrown in a real coup. The completed Technicolor film was destroyed by the director in fear that it would be used as propaganda against the ousted monarchy. Following Mahmoud Sabit, the man who found the original 8mm reels and who is himself a relation of the late king of Egypt, this documentary focuses on the reconstruction of the film's story, its array of real life players, and the political circumstances surrounding the shoot. This uncanny marriage of fiction and reality reveals that the original film not only managed to unwittingly predict the fate of the King, but also foresaw the next 60 years of relations between Egypt and the West.
Who directed In Search of Oil and Sand?
In Search of Oil and Sand was directed by Philippe Dib, Wael Omar.
How long is In Search of Oil and Sand?
In Search of Oil and Sand has a runtime of 58m (58 minutes).
What genre is In Search of Oil and Sand?
In Search of Oil and Sand is a Documentary film.
Where was In Search of Oil and Sand produced?
In Search of Oil and Sand was produced in Egypt, United States of America.