A theatre group revives Egypt’s forgotten classics—while fighting for their own survival.

Crying Laughter is a raw, emotionally charged documentary following Shady, a young dramaturge, and his independent theatre group “El Warsha” as they attempt to resurrect long-forgotten Egyptian plays on a shoestring budget. Amid economic pressures, mounting debt, and bureaucratic roadblocks, the group fights to keep art alive in a system that makes it nearly impossible.

With intimate access and a stylized approach inspired by theatre itself, the film captures the energy of rehearsals, the weight of uncertainty, and the joy of creating under pressure. This is a love letter to Egypt’s cultural soul—and a reflection on the price artists pay to keep tradition breathing.