Egypt’s Oscar Contender ‘Happy Birthday’ Spotlights Class Struggles

Egypt’s submission for the 2026 Oscars, the coming-of-age film Happy Birthday, tells the poignant story of an eight-year-old maid navigating class struggles in Cairo. Directed and co-written by Sarah Goher, the film marks her feature directorial debut and is produced by Jamie Foxx. The cast includes newcomer Doha Ramadan, alongside Nelly Karim, Hanan Motawie, Sherif Salama, and Aly Sobhy.

The narrative follows Doha, the young maid, as she strives to throw an unforgettable birthday party for her employer’s daughter. The film delves into themes of class, power, and belonging through the eyes of a child, offering a critical look at societal structures. According to a preview on the official site of the 29th Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival, where the film will screen starting on November 18, 2023, the story is both touching and illuminating.

Premiering at the Tribeca Film Festival in June 2023, Happy Birthday received accolades, including the awards for best international narrative feature and best screenplay, along with the Nora Ephron Award. Goher’s personal experiences inspired the film, having spent summers in Cairo with her grandmother. Reflecting on her childhood, she recalled befriending a girl whom she initially thought was family, only to discover later that the girl was her grandmother’s maid.

Goher highlighted the complex issue of child labor, which, while illegal in Egypt, often exists in a grey area. “Child labor is not allowed in Egypt, but there’s this grey area where families, if not in this generation, in a previous generation, have a child around them that was in this limbo,” Goher explained. This realization fueled her desire to tell a story that resonates with many, yet remains largely unspoken.

When it came to casting, Goher understood the importance of finding the right performer to portray the character authentically. She utilized street casting and social media platforms like Facebook and TikTok to discover talent. Ultimately, she invited around 60 girls to the Cairo Opera House for auditions, ensuring they all wore similar clothing to eliminate signs of socio-economic disparity.

Goher recounted how young Doha Ramadan distinguished herself during the casting process. “She’s such a confident and creative girl,” said Goher. Their collaboration continued throughout the filming, with Goher emphasizing the importance of engaging Ramadan in the character’s development. “I wanted to have her input into her character, because I did not want to be projecting a story from my imagination about someone like her,” Goher stated.

As the film wrapped production, Goher sought to provide Ramadan with opportunities that transcended the filming experience. Recognizing that Ramadan had not learned to read prior to the project, Goher arranged for a private tutor to help her with literacy. Additionally, she enrolled the young actress in the Opera House’s gifted youth center for ballet lessons.

“I wanted her to see herself as an artist, because in her socio-economic class, art is not something that’s a priority,” Goher explained. The filmmaker expressed gratitude for Ramadan’s family, who supported the initiative throughout the process.

Goher’s hope is that audiences will connect with the character of Doha, much like her friends, who typically do not gravitate toward stories involving children, found themselves enchanted by her portrayal. “Neither has any sense of self-pity,” Goher remarked. “Like the character, Doha doesn’t see the tragedy of her life. She just wants to live it, and that’s something I think we all need to see.”

With its compelling narrative and strong performances, Happy Birthday aims not only to entertain but also to challenge viewers to reflect on societal norms and the often-overlooked lives of those in lower socio-economic classes.