Tarik Saleh's latest film, "Eagles of the Republic," is set to make its world premiere at the 50th Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in September 2025. This political thriller, starring Fares Fares, Lyna Khoudri, and Zineb Triki, explores the complexities of deceit and propaganda within Egypt's film industry.
The film's selection for TIFF's Centerpiece program highlights a significant year for Swedish cinema internationally. Following its Toronto debut, "Eagles of the Republic" will open the 2025 Stockholm International Film Festival in November. SF Studios is handling distribution across Nordic territories, with a planned theatrical release in the fall of 2025.
This film marks the conclusion of Saleh's acclaimed Cairo trilogy, which includes "The Nile Hilton Incident" (2017), winner of the Grand Jury Award at the Sundance Film Festival, and "Boy from Heaven" (2022), which earned the Best Screenplay Award at the Cannes Film Festival. "Eagles of the Republic" continues to examine themes of power, corruption, and individual struggle against systemic pressures, with Fares portraying a prominent actor forced to participate in a state-sponsored propaganda film.
Fares Fares, a frequent collaborator with Saleh, leads the cast as George El-Nabawi, a fictional Egyptian superstar actor pressured into a compromising role. The ensemble cast also features French actresses Lyna Khoudri, known for "The French Dispatch" and "Papicha," and Zineb Triki, recognized for her roles in "The Bureau" and "Homeland." Described as a pure film noir, "Eagles of the Republic" echoes the style and themes of "The Nile Hilton Incident." Saleh has indicated that the film delves into existential questions of conformity and resistance within oppressive systems.
The film's critical examination of Egypt's political and religious elite has reportedly led to its ban in Egypt, though it has found distribution through underground channels. Its inclusion at TIFF, a festival celebrating global cinema, provides a significant platform for its artistic merit and message. Furthermore, the Swedish Film Institute has selected "Eagles of the Republic" as Sweden's official submission for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film.