Life After Siham is a feature-length documentary directed and written by Namir Abdel Messeeh. Selected for the ACID program at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, the film marks the return of the Franco-Egyptian filmmaker after The Virgin, the Copts, and I. It is set to open in French theaters on January 28, 2026.
Following the death of his mother, Siham, Namir initially refused to accept that she was truly gone forever. In a child's perspective, mothers are eternal. As an adult, he chooses to honor the promise they made: to make a film together. Unable to recreate her on screen, he instead sets out to tell her story.
This deeply personal journey prompts the filmmaker to trace the thread of his family history, spanning Egypt and France. Through memories, shared stories, and scenes from Egyptian cinema—particularly the works of Youssef Chahine—a portrait emerges of a woman, a mother, and an exile, where mourning transforms into a space of connection and remembrance.
Between the personal journal and collective storytelling, the film delves into how cinema can extend a presence and turn absence into a vivid, tangible experience.
Life After Siham is the second feature film by Namir Abdel Messeeh, a graduate of Fémis, following his debut that garnered significant attention at international festivals. With The Virgin, the Copts, and Me, the filmmaker combined a family investigation, humor, and a reflection on identity, reaching a broad audience in theaters.
Chosen by Acid, an organization that has championed independent and daring cinema for over thirty years, the film fits within a tradition of personal documentaries that use intimacy to explore broader themes such as exile, memory, and lineage. The selection highlights a work that forgoes spectacular spectacle in favor of storytelling through spoken word, archival footage, and intergenerational dialogue.
With its bright tone and calming perspective on grief, the film appeals to viewers who are drawn to autobiographical stories and educational documentaries. It extends a meditation on cinema’s role as a vessel of memory and as a bridge between the living and those who have passed away.
The Life After Siham
Film | 2026
Release in cinemas: January 28, 2026
Documentary | Duration: 1h16
Directed by Namir Abdel Messeeh | Featuring Siham Abdel Messeeh, Namir Abdel Messeeh, Waguih Abdel Messeeh
Original title: The Life After Siham
Country: France, Egypt
With La Vie après Siham, Namir Abdel Messeeh presents a heartfelt, intimate documentary where cinema acts as a means of comfort and storytelling. Now, audiences can experience this moving film on the big screen.
To keep the cinema experience going, check out the movie releases for January, discover the must-see films of the moment, and browse our list of standout documentaries of the year.
This page may contain AI-assisted elements, more information here.
