Tafida's Cage

Tafida, an eighteen-year-old girl, marries a man much older than her, causing her life to turn upside down. Forced into marriage with Tawfiq, who is over a decade her senior. Sometime later, Tafida is raising two daughters and taking care of a small bird, developing certain thoughts and feelings about her life.

Tawfiq returns one day with the address of a new doctor and informs Tafida that they’ll visit him soon to find out the gender of their unborn child.

Fahmi, a young man the same age as Tafida and one of Tawfiq’s workers, is shown contemplating Tawfiq’s wealth. A woman advises Fahmi on how to gain access to that wealth. Convinced, Fahmi approaches Tafida at night, suggesting there’s only one way to escape her misery. He gives her something before leaving.

Tawfiq, Tafida, and their two daughters leave the house and return later in a very somber scene. Tawfiq is visibly distressed, and Fahmi deduces that the child is another girl.

Amid all the confusion and pressure, Tafida makes a shocking decision.