Bukra Fil Mishmish

Description: Refugees from Czarist progroms, the Frenkel brothers reached Egypt via Palestine during World War 1. There they started an animation studio and created a Mickey Mouse like character whom they named Mish-Mish Efendi after a producer who has scorned them. Their films, featuring strong Egyptian themes, became very popular with local audiences. Some films combined animation with live action featuring popular screen stars of the period. Two of the brothers never married. The third, Salmon, married a local Sepharadic woman and had three children. The three brothers remained close though, ‘like fingers joined by the palm of the hand’, in the words of the wife.

After the funding of the state of Israel, the situation of Jews in Egypt became precarious and the family emigrated to France. The brothers were unable to obtain backing for their animation ventures and subsisted from commercial artwork. The old films, negatives and animation cels languished in the basement until Didier, Salmon’s oldest son, discovered them and brought them to the attention of film archivists who have restored them. The brothers’ work are now enjoying a new appreciation by Egyptian audiences.

Merits: The oldest survivor of the Frenkel clan is Salmon’s wife. Living together in one house in France, the unmarried brothers resented their sister in law. She reciprocated in turn. That is why she seems unhappy about her Didier’s efforts to restore his father’s and uncles’ legacy. In a poignant scene with an Egyptian scholar she is lyrical about her love for Egypt, recalling an old song from her childhood, yet has nothing to say about the films he came to discuss with her.

Rating: Suitable for all audiences.

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