“Perfumed With Mint” follows Bahaa, a lovesick physician and his old friend Mahdy as they try to escape the ghosts of their past. Running from one abandoned house to another in a deserted, dystopian Cairo as they’re chased relentlessly by shadows. Blending surrealism with beautiful cinematography and cyclical dialogue the film explore layered themes of grief, memory, and generational trauma.

The film is created by Emmy-winning cinematographer-turned-director Muhammed Hamdy. It made it’s North American premiere at TIFF in 2024 and featured at the 2025 Toronto Arab Film Festival. This film was a favourite from the festival, which we reviewed here. If you like slow, experimental, surrealist films with layered themes and commentary, check out “Perfumed With Mint” this week.

You can watch “Perfumed With Mint” on Aflamuna for free until July 16th. Aflamuna is a non-profit platform for discovering free-to-watch independent Arab films. Every two weeks, they host films from around the Arab world that are worth seeking out: cult favorites, contemporary works, and hidden gems.