Egyptian
Timothy is a deaf mechanic who finds himself in an awkward situation when meeting his girlfriend's father. With his hands still greasy from work, he struggles to make a good first impression while dealing with intimacy issues in his relationship. It's a challenging moment for him, but he's determined to show that his skills and character are what truly matter.
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Danilo Bastos GodoyWriterHomeseek, Tidy Bed, Forgotten Memories From the End of the World
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Sebastian BoleniusDirector of PhotographyHomeseek, Tidy Bed
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Project Title (Original Language):Egípcios
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Project Type:Short Script
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Genres:Drama, social, Deaf Community
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Number of Pages:14
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Country of Origin:Portugal
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Language:English
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First-time Screenwriter:No
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Student Project:No
Danilo Bastos Godoy
34-year-old
Brazilian/Italian screenwriter and director based in Lisbon, Portugal.
Graduated with a degree in directing and writing for cinema and television in 2011 in São Paulo.
First original feature-length script, SOBREVOOS, was selected for festivals and artistic residencies such as Guiões in Lisbon, Portugal (2015), where he won 2nd place, and PLOT in São João da Madeira, Portugal (2016). His script was also among the 15 semi-finalists at the FRAPA - Festival do Roteiro Audiovisual de Porto Alegre, Brazil in 2021.
Wrote and directed two short films in co-production with the German production company Kleiner Bruder GbR, filmed in Lisbon. The first film, "HOME SEEK - PROCURO T" (https://vimeo.com/944172825), is in the editing process and addresses the issue of Brazilian immigrants in Portugal and the gentrification that increases the value of houses to live in. The second film, "TIDY BED" (https://filmfreeway.com/TidyBed), was selected by the writing development programme DRAMA.PT, Portimão, Portugal in 2018. This film is a portrait of a young gay man and the suicide attempt of a relative of his. It has already participated in festivals in Portugal, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and in the Market Place of the Clermont Ferrand Short Film Festival in France.
Worked as part of the team for some series between Portugal and Brazil. He worked on VANDA in 2021 for streaming OPTO SIC from production company SPI, alongside director Simão Cayatte, where he focused on directing extra units and script assistance for rehearsals with the actors and director. In 2020, he participated in the writer's room for the series PEIXE FORA D`ÁGUA for the RTP2 channel in PORTUGAL with the production company Kleiner Bruder GbR and director Sebastian Bolenius. He was also a casting assistant for the new Brazilian series SUTURA, which is set to air on Amazon Prime in 2024. The series was produced by Boutique Filmes in São Paulo, and Danilo could closely follow the work of renowned Brazilian actors such as Claudia Abreu.
His second original feature film script, A CAMINHADA DAS OITO, participated in the Primeiro Tratamento business round in May 2022 in São Paulo, and MINOTAURO, his third feature film script, was selected for the FRAPA 2023 business round in Porto Alegre. He is also the author of the DRAGZ ANONYMAZ series project, about the Drag Queen universe in Lisbon, which was selected for project pitching at RIO CONTENT MARKET 2018 through the production company BRO.
In 2012 received the Incentive Short Film Award from the São Paulo Department of Culture for the film "FORGOTTEN MEMORIES FROM THE END OF THE WORLD" (https://vimeo.com/336478096). This film launched his career as a young director. He had the opportunity to have his debut in the United Kingdom, where he received his first international award for Best Artists' Film at the Aesthetica Short Film Festival. The film was also selected for festivals in Dubai, Colombia, Mexico, and Brazil.
Danilo's branded content partnerships as writer director with MOFILM agency in London, Los Angeles, Mexico City and São Paulo were: ATOM, which he made for the entrepreneurial aspect of the Shell Youth Initiative (https://vimeo.com/336473829), won 1st place in the MOFILM advertising competition at the SXSW festival in Austin, Texas. YOU'RE THE BLOOD IN MY VEINS (https://vimeo.com/336439262), a co-production filmed in Bogotá, Colombia, in documentary format with motorcyclists. A VISION THROUGH SOUNDS for Chevrolet (https://vimeo.com/336433023), which made the shortlist for the MOFILM awards at Cannes 2016, and several others.
Danilo's greatest interest currently is the development of his new series and feature scripts, all designed for international co-productions with a unique perspective and sensitive look from a queer Latin American immigrant who decided to write about the world around him and the conflicts between cultural differences.
writer's vision:
"Egyptian" is a short film that delves into the struggles of communication in contemporary society, using the story of Timothy, a deaf mechanic, to explore themes of masculinity, identity, and empathy. In a world where empathy is increasingly rare and people are absorbed in their own concerns, "Egyptian" serves as an inclusive metaphor for the need to see and respect each other's differences.
about the theme:
In modern society, what defines masculine and feminine characteristics? Step into a car workshop, and you'll find men covered in grease. Enter a beauty salon, and there are women meticulously painting nails. We've been conditioned to see the workshop as a man’s domain and the salon as a woman’s sanctuary. But why do we cling to these outdated stereotypes? Isn’t it time we accepted that it's perfectly fine for a man to embrace his feminine side?
Few men admit to seeking beauty treatments, perhaps due to the historical association of such activities with femininity. The notion of a man doing his nails challenges traditional concepts of masculinity, often perceived as a threat to their male identity. This societal pressure can cause significant distress for many men. "Egyptian" explores these anxieties through Timothy, who cannot fully clean his hands despite his efforts. His physical grime symbolizes his internal turmoil, highlighting the struggle between societal expectations and personal identity.
about the language and aesthetics:
Timothy’s story recalls the visceral performances of Pina Bausch in "The Rite of Spring," where dancers move violently on a dirt-covered stage, embodying primal emotions of love and hate. Wim Wenders' documentary "Pina" captures this raw physicality, emphasizing textures and forms that reveal the primitive nature of human emotions. Similarly, Andrea Arnold's "Wuthering Heights" envelops its characters in dirt, mud, and wind, using these elements not just narratively but to deeply characterize them.
This short film aims to achieve a similar authenticity. The cinematography will employ slow, deliberate tracking shots and static frames, emphasizing Timothy's silent world. The subjective sound design will reflect his deafness, exploring silence as a rich, textured experience. The film will use sign language, inspired by filmmakers Gabriel Mascaro and Myroslav Slaboshpytskyi, who have skillfully employed deaf actors in their feature length films 'Avenida Brasilia Formosa' and 'The Tribe'.
The art direction will mirror Timothy's dirty hands, infusing textures and forms into the setting and props. The workshop will be gritty and discomforting, contrasting sharply with the pristine beauty salon, adding a unique, almost comic element to the narrative. Timothy’s hands are central to the film, conveying emotional depth and shifting the focus from spoken words to expressive gestures.
At its core, "Egyptian" is a love story. His inability to keep his hands clean brings multiple challenges, both social and psychological. Going to a manicurist might seem a simple solution, but it would subject him to the judgment of his peers, who view such an act as "feminine." Timothy’s inner turmoil highlights how much we are affected by the potential judgments of others. Overcoming these barriers is possible when he prioritizes his relationship over societal expectations. Visiting a manicurist becomes an act of love, a gesture to please his girlfriend.
This project aims to transform not just the filmmaking team but also societal perspectives, working closely with a community that needs greater visibility, respect, and inclusion. By focusing on a minority group that fights daily for accessibility rights, we literally put our hands at stake, showing that communication goes beyond words. The creative process will benefit from the expertise of deaf actors, enriching the narrative through a blend of spoken and gestural communication.
Through direction, cinematography, actor direction, editing, art direction, sound design, and production, "Egyptian" aims to explore the anxieties associated with masculinity and femininity, focusing on gestures as the primary mode of communication. Understanding the potential of sign language and its visual narrative capabilities is a driving force behind this short film.