In June of every year, Egypt celebrates the anniversary of the arrival of the Sacred Family in its blessing land, fleeing from the oppression of the Roman Empror Herodus.

 

The 2005 celebration was remarkable, as the Association of Reviving Egyptian National Heritage produced a world-famed documentary film on the sacred journey. The film is a joint Egyptian- Americian production, executed by American professional specialists in producing such films.

 

The film is based on a concept, scenario and script by the American Paul Perry, author of best seller books in the USA, and some of them became documentary films; amongst which was “Saved the Light”, one of the best sellers in the world that became a motion picture.

 

It is noticed that he is particularly interested in Egyptian civilization, and wrote on the River Nile, then was fascinated by the Egyptian themselves, through his visits to Egypt. He wrote his famous book “Christ in Egypt”, on the story of the Sacred Family in Egypt. Perry based his film on the same concept of the book, but in the American way. The film is on a journey made by Perry to Egypt to track the same course likely taken by the Sacred Family. He tried to trace the places passed by the Sacred Family, and compare between their status then, and now. He focused on significant points that caught his interest:

 

* The strong coexistence among all the Egyptians, regardless of the variety of their cultures, precisely the intimate relations between Christians and Muslims, even their agreement on the visit of the Sacred Family to Egypt.

 

* The beautiful image of Egypt unknown to the world. He also stressed in this film,  and previously in his book, that Egypt has not only Pharaonic monuments, but has also many aspects of beauty and other civilization, confirming that its greatness is not connected with a specified era.

 

The famous archeologist Dr. “Tohn De Prai” joined Paul's journey. He is known for his numerous researches around the world, a specialist in documentary researches, and works as a scientific consultant for Discovery Channel, National Geographic, History Channel and Nouva Dokio Mentris. When he was asked about his impression of working in the film, he said: “It's one of the unforgettable experiences for me.

 

 It revealed to me a new vision of Egypt and its people, and made me deeply appreciate this rich historical culture of this sacred land which I explore by myself.” This film was directed by “Marlin Parah”, who is specialized in documentary films. He directed about 80 documentary films for 120 countries, over 25 years, and most of them are of civilizational cultural characteristic.

 

Marlin has remarkable works screened on National Geographic, Discovery and History Channels by fox, CHS, CNN and NBC. Many of his works won awards in international festivals in Rome, New York, Florida, Arizona and Los Angelos. In 2002, Marlin directed his first motion picture “Monsoon wife”, and was a big hit, because it was the first American film shot in Campodia.

 

The Sacred Family film was produced by the Association of Reviving Egyptian National Heritage, boarded by Munir Ghabour, who suggested the idea to Paul Perry during his presence in Egypt to prepare for his book “ Christ in Egypt”. It was also co-produced by Norman Miles.

 

Efforts of Egyptian and American producers were collaborated to make a success of this work. Hence, a big finance was designted to it, as compared to other documentary films. The shooting took four monthes in Egypt, and several copies were printed to be screened in Paris, London, Beirut, and USA.

 

The film will tour the world through printing it on video tapes and CDs, so as to encourage religious tourism to Egypt.

 

When it was screened in Egypt the film raised wide disputes amongst critics and those concerned, especially with the existence of films dealing with the same subject.

 

The Information Advisor of the Association “Erini Eid” says that the film is different because it presents neutral. American vision.

 

 We want to brief the audience, inside and outside Egypt, on that period which started from Al Arish to Assiut, and how the Sacred Family dealt with the residents of each area, reflecting the spirit of brotherhood and friendship among Egyptians, which later manifested in the strong relation between Muslims and Copts after the Islamic conquest, and they all live as brothers under national unity.

 

The film writer, “Perry”, confirms that what characterizes this work is discovering what we call the secret of Egyptian civilization, that is the Egyptian man himself, with all his kindness, noble nature and unusual braveness.

 

 UNESCO has chosen this film to be screened in November 2005, for it conveys a great message to the whole world; to see an embodiment of national unity on Egypt's land through others' eyes, not only in the eyes of Egyptians. That is the aim of the Association, so as to ensure a neutral conveyance of the message to the whole world. It would be more effective to execute the work by an American team to be eyewitness to the bright image presented in the film.

 

The film director says that this work represents a distinctive vision of Egypt's and Egyptians' image in the eyes of American writer and work team. Therefore; it certainly reflects a great deal of neutrality. The production of this film, at this specific time, is crowning two-year efforts with two-million dollar budget, in comparison with any other documentary film.

 

The Association's Board Chairman, Munir Ghabour, who is co-producer of the film, says that after screening the film in Egypt, it will tour a big number of the world's capitals, then will be distributed after printing it on DVDs. As the aim of the work team is to be seen by the biggest number possible of audience all over the world.

 

It is expected that it will be a big success, particularly in the West, which will be fascinated by such distinctive vision of this important spot of the world