Egyptian Doc 'Big Boys Don't Cry' Examines Masculinity at El Gouna

Egyptian filmmaker Muhammad Mustapha presents "Big Boys Don't Cry," a documentary examining masculinity through the lives of Cairo bodybuilders and nightclub bouncers. The film had its world premiere in the Feature Documentary Competition at the El Gouna Film Festival.

Mustapha's curiosity about this specific community drove the project, offering viewers an intimate look at how these men understand and express their gender roles. The documentary reveals the limited emotional range society permits them.

As Mustapha notes, anger appears to be the only emotion these men are socially allowed to express. The film uses this lens to investigate broader questions about male identity and vulnerability in contemporary Egyptian society.

This brief draws on reporting from Variety.