Filmmakers Behind Cannes Hit 'Eagles Of The Republic' Demand Release Of Detained Co-Star

The world of international cinema, for all its glamour and artistic aspiration, too often finds itself intersecting with the harsh realities of global politics. Such is the case for the filmmaking team behind the award-winning drama-thriller Eagles of the Republic, who are now publicly demanding the immediate release of their co-star, Hassan El Sayed. Detained in Egypt, El Sayed's situation casts a long shadow over artistic freedom and the very notion of participation in creative works.

How often do we, as filmmakers, grapple with the implications beyond the frame? We meticulously craft narratives, assemble crews, secure financing, and navigate the labyrinthine process of production and distribution, all in the pursuit of bringing a story to the screen. Yet, what happens when simply participating in that process, in however minor a capacity, becomes a pretext for punishment? This is the stark scenario facing the Eagles of the Republic team, whose actor, Hassan El Sayed, was arrested in Cairo.

According to a letter addressed to Public Prosecutor Mohamed Shawky Ayyad, shared with Deadline, producers Linus Stöhr Torell, Johan Lindström, Linda Mutawi, Alexandre Mallet-Guy, co-producers Monica Hellström, Misha Jaari, and Mark Lwoff, and executive producer Emil Wiklund, unequivocally state: "We stand by the principle that art must never become a pretext for punishment." This isn't merely a principled stance; it's a direct challenge to a system that appears to view cinematic contribution, however tangential, as a punishable offense.

Eagles of the Republic, written and directed by Tarik Saleh, premiered to considerable acclaim at the Cannes Film Festival last May, screening in the main Competition section. The film went on to win six Guldbagge Awards (Sweden's national film awards) in January 2026. It stars Fares Fares, telling the story of an acclaimed actor compelled to portray Egypt's actual president, Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, in a production designed, one presumes, to flatter El-Sisi. The irony, then, of an actor from a film touching on such politically charged portrayals being detained, is not lost on anyone familiar with the nuances of creative output in politically sensitive regions.

Hassan El Sayed's involvement, as detailed by the filmmakers, was remarkably brief. He appears on screen for a mere 20 seconds. His role, that of a priest, was minor, suggesting that his detention is less about his narrative contribution and more about the perceived political implications of the film itself. The filmmakers emphasize this point, stating: "Hassan El Sayed is not a political figure nor is he engaged in activism, he is an actor." They describe him as a "private individual and long-time Danish resident who, like many others, occasionally participates in film productions in minor roles." They further clarify that "His involvement in Eagles of the Republic was extremely limited," and, critically, "performed without access to the full script or broader narrative context of the film." This detail highlights a common reality in film production, particularly for day players or those in smaller roles, who often work on set with limited knowledge of the larger story or its ultimate political framing.

The producers have taken full responsibility for the artistic and editorial decisions. Their letter plainly states: "We wish to state clearly and unequivocally that Hassan El Sayed had no influence over the content, message, or framing of the film. As producers, we bear full responsibility for the artistic and editorial decisions behind the work." This is a crucial clarification, one that attempts to shield a talent from the political fallout of a production's larger message. It's a move that, in any functional legal system, should decouple the actor's brief appearance from any broader intent attributed to the film's creators. Unfortunately, as history and current events too frequently remind us, functional legal systems are not universally applied.

The depth of the concern from the Eagles of the Republic team is evident in their detailing of the circumstances surrounding El Sayed's detention. The letter conveyed their particular distress over "reports of Hassan El Sayed's enforced disappearance, limited access to legal counsel, and the impact of his detention on his mental well-being." These are not minor concerns; they speak to fundamental human rights, rights that are, theoretically, enshrined in international law.

Amnesty International has also joined the call for El Sayed's release, providing further details regarding his arrest. According to the human rights organization, El Sayed was arrested on December 20, 2025, upon his arrival at Cairo International Airport. He was reportedly questioned by National Security Agency officials specifically about his role in Eagles of the Republic. Following this, he faced a prosecutor who ordered his pretrial detention under the charge of "joining a terrorist group while being aware of its objectives." The severity of this charge, especially for an actor in such a minor role, underscores the precarious position of artists working in contexts where creative expression can be perceived as dissidence or political affiliation.

The broader implications for the film industry are, frankly, chilling. If an actor's brief, non-speaking, or even speaking role in a film can lead to such severe charges, where does that leave creative collaboration? What due diligence would be expected from a casting director in a region where political interpretations of art are so volatile? Conversely, what recourse do actors have if their participation, performed in good faith, is later leveraged against them? This situation is a stark reminder of the complexities of international distribution and the geopolitical landscapes that films traverse.

The producers of Eagles of the Republic articulate this concern clearly: "Film is a medium of artistic expression, and participation in a film, especially in such a minor capacity, must never be grounds for detention or prosecution. To hold an individual criminally liable for a brief, acting role constitutes a serious violation of fundamental human rights, including the right to freedom of expression and artistic participation." This statement isn't just about El Sayed; it's about the precedent being set. If such a precedent were to take hold, it would profoundly impact how filmmakers approach sensitive subjects, potentially leading to self-censorship, or, worse, a chilling effect on artistic discourse in regions where such stories need to be told most urgently.

The letter to Public Prosecutor Mohamed Shawky Ayyad, who was sworn in by President El-Sisi himself and previously served as an assistant minister of justice, contains four specific demands, expressed "respectfully but firmly":

- The immediate and unconditional release of Hassan El Sayed