The Egyptian South Pole (Egypt)

Synopsis

Covered in fine white dust, workers of limestone quarries in southern Egypt toil in brutal conditions with limited workplace safety. They work in shifts at the quarry in the so-called White Mountain. They wear goggles and wrap scarves around their faces in an attempt to keep out the clouds of white powder thrown up by the whirring machines. Their lives are always in danger, they say goodbye to their families in the hope of returning home safely because of the dangerous machinery they use where a mistake can lead to death and the ruthless dust that penetrates their chests. Authorities refuse to issue permits or licenses for these quarries so workers don’t have any insurance and pensions. Those workers have no other alternatives or options except working in quarries.

About the filmmaker

I am Sherehan El Azazy; I am graduate student at the Kamal Adham Center for Television and Digital Journalism in the American University in Cairo. I Produced this film while studying my masters degree in Television and digital journalism at AUC. It’s a “One Man Crew” work. I produced this film starting from shooting footages and interviews, writing the script, editing it and recording my own Voice over.