Egyptomania

Treatment

Introduction

Ancient Egypt, the land of the Pharaohs, still fascinates the whole world, and we still have traces of these ancient civilisations in the form of more or less well-preserved buildings, relics and various objects, the memory of which we continue to excavate through archaeological work.

We open with a montage that contrasts modern examples of Egyptomania—fashion shows with hieroglyphic designs, music videos evoking Cleopatra, manga and video games filled with pharaohs and gods, and auction houses like Christie’s selling Egyptian relics. These are interspersed with ancient imagery of pyramids, the Sphinx, and the Nile.

The fascination with Egyptian culture can be traced back to antiquity, when Roman emperors brought obelisks from Egypt to decorate the city of Rome. Even today, works of art, popular songs and other everyday objects bear the aesthetic marks of ancient Egypt.

There are more obelisks standing today in Italy than in Egypt. The Egyptian cults established in Rome in Antiquity, in particular the cult of Isis and Serapis, aroused this taste for Egypt in the Italian peninsula and throughout Romanised Europe, so much so that in the 16th century, from the Renaissance onwards, the major works carried out in Rome by the popes in particular brought to light Egyptian antiquities, which set off the spark for the Egyptomania revival in Europe.

Europe's renewed interest in Ancient Egypt began at the end of the 18th century, in the wake of various travel accounts, but above all following Bonaparte's Egyptian campaign from 1798 to 1801.

Since then, this Egyptomania has continued to grow, and today designers, creators, collectors and artists continue to bring this ancient civilisation to life by using the symbols, forms and representations of this civilisation, symbols that convey a fantasy of power, immortality, a grandeur attributed to an empire that reigned for thousands of years, a fantasy, a fascination that continues to grow as we continue to discover the reality of this civilisation.

End of introduction / film start

The first encyclopaedia devoted to Egypt was written following the discovery of tombs during the Egyptian campaign. It was the first work to bring together a wide range of descriptions of the culture and traditions of ancient Egypt. At the time of its publication, it was the largest work in print and had a powerful influence, establishing Egyptology as an intellectual discipline and sparking interest in ancient Egypt throughout the world.

The discovery and importation of numerous jewels and ornaments found in tombs gave way to the Egyptian Revival. Jewellery was inspired by the unearthed treasures and adorned with scarabs, sphinxes, Pharaohs, palm trees and snakes.

Fashion: Egypt’s Eternal Elegance and Divine Beauty
We open with models draped in hieroglyphic designs and adorned with scarabs walking down the runway. Archival footage from the 1920s showcases the impact of Tutankhamun’s tomb discovery on Art Deco fashion.

We feature Olivier Gabet, the director of the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, who discusses how Egyptian motifs have influenced French fashion. Didier Ludot, a Parisian fashion historian and vintage haute couture collector, provides insights into the long-standing Egyptian influence on French fashion design.

Incorporating a Lebanese perspective, Zuhair Murad, the world-renowned fashion designer, can speak about how he has drawn inspiration from Egyptian elements in his collections. This allows us to show how Egyptomania transcends borders and influences designers globally, not just in Europe.

From the Egyptian perspective, Amna Elshandaweely, an Egyptian fashion designer known for her heritage-inspired designs, will discuss how Egyptian symbols of power and immortality are reinterpreted by modern Egyptian fashion.

Music: Egypt’s Mythic Soundscape and Divine Persona
We open with modern music videos featuring Egyptian imagery, such as Beyoncé’s Queen Nefertiti homage and Katy Perry’s Dark Horse. These are contrasted with ancient depictions of Egyptian music rituals, showing how music served both entertainment and divine purposes.

We feature Jean-Michel Jarre, a French composer known for incorporating grand historical themes into his music, to explore how Egypt’s mythic qualities fit into his work. For the Egyptian perspective, we could include Basem Darwisch, a leading Egyptian musician, to discuss how traditional Egyptian sounds are being preserved and modernized in today's music world.

This segment shows how the divine persona of pharaohs and Egyptian deities continues to influence the musical imagination.

Philosophy and Magic: Egypt’s Mystical Legacy
The segment opens with aerial shots of the Great Pyramid and practitioners using Egyptian symbols in modern spiritual rituals. The narrative explores how ancient Egypt’s mystical traditions continue to resonate today.

We invite Antoine Faivre, a French historian of esoteric movements, to explain how Egyptian magic influenced the French occult tradition. Patrick Burensteinas, a French alchemist and philosopher, could discuss how Egyptian magic continues to influence modern esoteric and alchemical thought.

For the Egyptian viewpoint, Dr. Salima Ikram, an Egyptologist, will discuss how ancient Egyptians used magic in their daily lives and how this has influenced modern spiritual practices. She offers expertise on the Egyptian belief system, tying it back to the modern-day fascination with hidden knowledge and the afterlife.

Art and Object Agency: The Eternal Made Visible
We move from ancient Egyptian sculptures to modern interpretations by artists who continue to draw from Egyptian monumentalism.

We invite Dominique de Font-Réaulx, director of the Musée Eugène Delacroix, to explain the influence of Egyptian art on French artists during the Egyptian Revival. Additionally, Christian Louboutin, the iconic French shoe designer, could discuss how Egyptian art and architecture have impacted his work.

For an Egyptian perspective, Youssef Nabil, an Egyptian visual artist, could share how Egyptian culture and themes of immortality are reflected in his photography and art.

Film and Media: The Drama of Kings and Gods
This segment opens with scenes from The Mummy, Cleopatra, and Assassin’s Creed: Origins, demonstrating how Egypt’s mythic landscape is portrayed in modern media.

For the French perspective, we invite Éric Neveux, a French composer who has worked on historical dramas, to discuss how Egyptian themes are scored for film. Additionally, we could feature Régis Wargnier, a French director known for historical films, to discuss Egypt’s cinematic allure.

From Egypt, Sherif El Bendary, a filmmaker, can offer insights into how Egypt’s mythological landscape has influenced Egyptian cinema and its portrayal in international films.

Auctions and Christie’s: Owning a Piece of Eternity
This segment focuses on Egyptian artifacts being sold at prestigious auction houses, examining the desire to own a piece of Egypt’s legacy.

We feature Éric Turquin, a leading French art appraiser, to explain why Egyptian artifacts command such high prices at auction. Georgina Adam, an art market journalist, could discuss the global demand for Egyptian artifacts and the ethical implications of such sales.

To provide an Egyptian perspective, Dr. Monica Hanna, an archaeologist, can discuss the ethical challenges of auctioning Egyptian antiquities and the ongoing efforts to repatriate Egyptian artifacts.

Digital Era and Social Media: A Timeless Civilization Reimagined
Opening with TikTok makeup tutorials and Instagram influencers showcasing Egyptian-inspired content, this segment explores how Egyptomania is thriving in the digital age. We also delve into the role of manga like Yu-Gi-Oh! in spreading Egyptian mythology globally.

For commentary on Yu-Gi-Oh! from a Japanese perspective, we feature Takahiko Inoue, a manga artist and expert on integrating ancient mythology into modern storytelling. They can discuss how Egyptian mythology inspired the creation of the Yu-Gi-Oh! universe, bringing Egypt’s rich history into global pop culture.

For a French perspective, we invite Jean-Marcel Humbert, a scholar of Egyptomania, to comment on how France’s fascination with Egypt has evolved and how social media has amplified its reach.

Our team

The creative team behind Egyptomania combines expertise in storytelling, history, and pop culture to explore how ancient Egypt’s legacy continues to shape today’s world. Driven by a passion for uncovering connections between past and present, we aim to craft a documentary that celebrates Egypt’s enduring influence across fashion, music, art, and culture

Ahmed Fouadeldin

Director and producer

Anne Littardi

Distributor and Co-producer

Guilhène Iop

TINKERLAND