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Ali, the Goat and Ibrahim

Name: Ali, the Goat and Ibrahim
Director: Sherif El Bendary
Released: 2017
Duration: 97 min

Representation Score

6.8/10

Good

2017

Director

Sherif El Bendary

Runtime

97 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Ali, the Goat and Ibrahim is a nuanced character study that elevates the voices of those dealing with psychological challenges. It succeeds by prioritizing a localized, authentic, and psychologically complex narrative structure over standardized social norms. The film's primary strength lies in its commitment to regional authenticity and its respectful portrayal of mental health issues. By centering on characters who exist on the fringes of social and psychological norms, it offers a meaningful critique of traditional communal structures. However, the film remains limited by its male-centric focus and lack of diverse gender or LGBTQ+ representation. While it avoids traditional patriarchal clichés, the narrative arcs are largely reserved for the male protagonists, leaving little room for women's ability to drive the story.

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Category Breakdown

Does Ali, the Goat and Ibrahim have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The film centers on a male-driven journey of companionship and grief. There are no depictions of non-cisgender identities or same-sex romantic relationships.

How does Ali, the Goat and Ibrahim portray gender?

Fair

The story revolves around male characters Ali and Ibrahim, operating within a male-centric framework. While it avoids aggressive patriarchal clichés, it lacks significant women's ability to drive the story or challenges to traditional gender roles.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Ali, the Goat and Ibrahim?

Good

The film highlights authentic cultural specificity by focusing on an Egyptian cast and rural setting. This localized perspective avoids the Western gaze and emphasizes Middle Eastern identities.

How does Ali, the Goat and Ibrahim represent religion and culture?

Good

The story critiques social pressures by centering on characters who do not conform to rigid village norms. It prioritizes individual spiritual exploration over institutional religious doctrine.

Does Ali, the Goat and Ibrahim include disability representation?

Good

Ibrahim’s struggle with severe depression and auditory hallucinations is portrayed with significant narrative weight. The film explores the lived experience of psychological vulnerability without resorting to mockery.

Present on Screen

Provides authentic cultural specificity through a localized Egyptian setting and cast.
Offers meaningful, dignified representation of mental health challenges and psychological vulnerability.
Challenges social cohesion by centering on characters who exist outside rigid communal norms.

Limited or Absent

Lacks significant women's ability to drive the story or challenges to traditional gender hierarchies.
Provides no explicit representation of LGBTQ+ identities or non-cisgender gender expressions.
The narrative remains heavily centered on a male-driven framework.

Official Synopsis

Ali believes his late girlfriend's soul has been reincarnated in a goat. His mother forces him to visit a spiritual healer, where he meets Ibrahim, who suffers from severe depression and hears mysterious noises, in a way to find hope, Ali, his goat and Ibrahim head on a trip across Egypt hoping to help each other overcome their problems.

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