Film Review: ‘Luxor’ directed by Zeina Durra

A film about love, loneliness, and loss. LUXOR deals with heavy themes in one of the world’s most beautiful cities.

Much of ancient Egypt still remains a mystery to us all which makes it the perfect location for any dramatic film. LUXOR transports the audience to the deserts and ruins of modern-day Egypt where we can all try to learn more about the present from the past. 

Written and directed by Zeina Durra, LUXOR centers on Hana (Andrea Riseborough), a British aid worker returning to Luxor, Egypt after taking leave. On Hana’s journey, she encounters a long lost love connection, Sultan (Karim Saleh), a working archeologist. Although the two still share feelings for each other it’s clear that Hana is traumatized from her past experiences and is not the same woman she once was when they first met. Hana only finds solace in the dig sites Sultan has brought her to. While Sultan is eager for the two to finally be together, Hana’s inner demons hold her back from pursuing a love that could ultimately heal her. 

There are spiritual and mystical elements throughout the film that go unexplained. Hana keeps having dreams of visiting ancient Egyptian sanctuaries and eventually goes to see a witch doctor to help ease her anxieties. We come to discover that Hana’s past, working in war torn countries seeing things that no human being ever should, is what’s keeping her up at night. Ultimately she comes to terms with her past and decides to take the second chance at happiness that she deserves.

LUXOR is truly bewitching with the onscreen chemistry between Andrea Riseborough’s and Karim Saleh’s as well as the scenic backdrop that Egypt provides.