The Stories is a decades-spanning Egyptian family saga and love story set between the late 1960s and 1980s. The film follows Ahmed, a young man from a Middle-Class Cairo family who dreams of becoming a concert pianist. During the tense summer of 1967, as war looms over Egypt, he begins a pen-pal correspondence with an Austrian woman named Elizabeth (“Liz”). A semi-autobiographical film based on the director's parents and how they met.
Where to watch
Not streaming anywhere
Not on any streaming service in United States, and not available to rent.
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Cast
28 people
Abu Bakr Shawky Director · Wolfgang Thaler Cinematographer Roland Stöttinger Editor
First release November 16, 2025 · Produced in Egypt, Austria, Sweden, United Kingdom · Languages Arabic, English, German, Russian
Production
Film AG
Production
Cinenovo
Production
Film Clinic
Production
Fox in the Snow Films
Production
Wrong Men
Production
Lagoonie Film Production
Production
Shofha
Production
Film Square
Production
Film i Väst
Production
Egypt · Austria · Sweden · United Kingdom
Produced in
Languages
Original title
القصص
Original language
Arabic
Spoken on screen
Arabic · English · German · Russian
Release dates
Estonia · November 16, 2025
Premiere
Egypt · June 17, 2026
Theatrical
No release date listed for United States.
China
September 19, 2026 · Premiere · Silk Road International Film Festival
France
June 10, 2026 · Premiere · Cabourg Film Festival
July 1, 2026 · Theatrical
Indonesia
October 7, 2026 · Premiere · Madani International Film Festival
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