Risala Ela Al-Wali


Risālah 'ilā al-Wālī is a 1998 Egyptian comedy-fantasy film directed by Nader Galal and starring Adel Emam and Yousra. The story moves between the early 19th century and contemporary Cairo. In 1807, as British forces threaten the port town of Rashid, local notables select Harfoush to carry a plea for reinforcements to Egypt's wali, Muhammad Ali Pasha. On his way to Cairo, Harfoush encounters a sage who transports him two centuries forward to 1998. As a consequence, he navigates modern Cairo while trying to complete his original mission.
The film was the subject of a plagiarism dispute after novelist Nabil Farouk alleged similarities with his booklet "Al-Muhimma" from the Cocktail 2000 series. Contemporary press reported litigation against screenwriter Bassam Ismail.

Plot

Set across two periods, the film opens in 1807 in Rashid during the British expedition against Egypt under Muhammad Ali Pasha. Harfoosẖ Bin Barqouq Al-Rakib Dar is chosen to carry a message to the wali in Cairo. He wants to request reinforcements for his besieged town.
On the road he meets a mysterious sage who takes him forward to Cairo in 1998. While the modern authorities treat him as a delusional person, he persists in seeking an interview with a high-ranking official so that he can deliver the message he believes will save Rashid.
Harfoush remains committed to his mission. Despite facing countless obstacles in modern society, his determination to meet the ruler remains steadfast. He is rebuffed and treated as unstable, a recurring joke that highlights how difficult it is for petitioners to gain power. However, when he finally reaches the governor's home at Muhammad Ali Mosque in modern-day Egypt, he finds that the governor and the country's leaders are cult images, so he fails to deliver his message and relegated to the past.

Cast

Adel Emam as Harfoosẖ Bin Barqouq Al-Rakib Dar
A brave knight tasked with delivering a life-saving message to the Wali.Yousra as Dr. Enas
Harfoush's love interest, a doctor who shares his anxieties about the potential destruction.Mustafa Metwalli as Badou Adly
An antiquities dealer.Saeed Abdel Ghani as Dr. Hesham
The director of the hospital.Salwa Othman as Manal
The sister of Dr. Enas, who becomes involved in Harfoosẖ's journey in the present.Fouad Khalil as Amin
Manal's husband.Alaa Waly El Din as Dabbour
One of the individuals who time travels with Harfoosẖ to modern-day Cairo.Alaa Morsi as Abu El Enein
Another companion who travels through time with Harfoosẖ.Mohammed Abu Dawood as a Major
A high-ranking officer in modern-day Cairo who crosses paths with Harfoush. He is both confused and intrigued by Harfoush's claims of time travel and his mission to see the Wali.

Themes

The use of time travel in A Message to the Wali serves as a narrative device to reflect on social and political challenges. The protagonist’s journey from the past to modern times underscores recurring issues such as oppression, corruption, and social inequality. Although rooted in fantasy, the film is embedded in the realities of Egyptian society. The film also addresses the inefficiency of government institutions and highlights the frustration faced by many Egyptians dealing with bureaucratic obstacles. The depiction of the "Wali" character, in both historical and contemporary contexts, shows how those in power may be disconnected from the people they govern. Adel Emam's performance enriches the film by blending humor with drama. His portrayal is noted for balancing comedic elements, particularly in scenes where he navigates modern societal norms.

Production

Direction and cinematography

The movie was directed by Nader Galal. He juxtaposes Egypt in the early 19th century with Egypt in the late 20th century; cinematography is by Samir Farag. The screenplay mixes a historical setting with comic fantasy and time-travel elements. Many media outlets have linked the film's premise to the successful French film Les Visiteurs. They describe the Egyptian film as adapting this concept in Egypt during the reign of Muhammad Ali.

Legal issues

The film is one of the rare Arabic films that became the subject of legal proceedings. The novelist Nabil Farouk claimed that the story was stolen from a booklet he had published in his Cocktail 2000 series, specifically issue No. 16 titled "The Mission". This allegation led to a court case between Nabil Farouk and the film's writer, Bassam Ismail. The case remains unresolved to this day. It is also notable that Bassam Ismail, the film's writer, has not been active in the television or film industry since writing this film.