short film

The Elevator

The Elevator is an Egyptian short film directed by Hadeel Nazmy (2005) and produced by the Jesuit Cultural Center in Cairo, starring Laila Samy. Set entirely inside a stalled elevator, the film follows a woman trapped alone as a phone conversation gradually exposes layers of tension, vulnerability, and quiet resistance. Using a minimalist setting to explore complex emotional and social themes, The Elevator offers a subtle yet powerful reflection on women’s experiences within confined spaces—both literal and symbolic. The film was first screened at the Jesuit Film Festival in Cairo and went on to be shown at several short film festivals in Egypt and abroad, where it received recognition for its performance and direction.