From once being the capital of Egypt during the Pharaonic era and a sacred location marked by the visit of Jesus and the Virgin Mary, Ein Shams has become one of Cairo's poorest and most neglected neighborhoods. Through the eyes of Shams, an eleven-year-old girl inhabitant of this neighborhood, the film captures the sadness and magic that envelops everyday life in Egypt. In a series of tragic events, the characters of the film showcase the intricacies of Egypt's political system and social structure, and give a glimpse into the grievances of the Middle East region and the complex relationships of its nations.

'Shams' opens with a cab roaming the streets of Cairo. A singer named Mariam hops in the cab. She sees a photo of a little girl besides the driver. She tells him that the girl is pretty. He tells her that she is his daughter and begins to tell her story. Inspired by her story, Mariam decides to sing a melancholy Iraqi tune in the small cultural centre she is performing in. Her song resonates deeply with another Mariam who is a member of the audience. The Mariam from the audience recalls her harrowing experiences of working as a doctor in Iraq while conducting research in 2003 on the link between the use of Depleted Uranium weapons in the bombing of Iraq and cancer. The taxi driver Ramadan is Sham's father, and also personal chauffeur of wealthy business man Selim bey who is on the verge of bankruptcy. Hany, his nephew, is parliamentary candidate for the Ein Shams district.

The film deals with corruption of the apathetic political elite, the tyranny of the political system, and the impact of economic profiteering and war on the health and lives of ordinary people.

 
Egypt, 2007 / Ibrahim El Batout
90 mins