Risala Ela Al-Wali

A Message to the Governor (Arabic: رسالة إلى الوالي)
DVD cover
Directed by	Nader Galal
Written by	Bassam Ismail Bassiouny Othman
Based on	Les Visiteurs
Produced by	Wasef Fayez
Starring	Adel Emam Yousra Mustafa Metwalli Alaa' Wali Al-Deen Alaa' Mursi
Cinematography	Sameer Faraj
Music by	Moodi Emam
Release date	January 28, 1998 (1998-01-28)
Running time	125 minutes
Country	Egypt
Languages	Arabic, Egyptian Arabic

Risālah 'ilā al-Wālī (Arabic: رسالة إلى الوالي, lit. 'A Message to the Governor') is a 1998 Egyptian film that blends historical drama with elements of fantasy and social critique. Directed by Nader Galal and starring Adel Emam, the film was well-received upon release for its unique storyline and engaging execution. Alongside Emam, the cast includes prominent Egyptian actors such as Yousra and Mustafa Metwalli. The film is combination of humor, drama, and political commentary resonated strongly with audiences. Also, It combines a thought-provoking narrative with a visually arresting portrayal of two eras.

The story revolves around Harfoosẖ Bin Barqouq Al-Rakib Dar (Arabic: حرفوش بن برقوق الراكب دار, played by Adel Emam), a womanizing knight from the town of Rosetta from the late 18th century. In 1798, Napoleon enters Egypt and attacks the Rosetta region. Following the advice of the locals during the repelling of the occupation, Harfoush embarks on a mission to deliver a life-saving message to Egypt's ruler at the time, Muhammad Ali, warning of impending disaster. However, his journey takes a surprising turn when he is mysteriously transported to modern-day Cairo in 1998. Confused by the strange and fast-paced society he finds himself in, Harfoush's determination to accomplish his mission remains unwavering, driving the plot forward with moments of honest comedy and drama. As Harfoush grapples with the challenges of navigating the unfamiliar world of modern Egypt, he encounters various characters who symbolize the bureaucracy and corruption of his time and the present. Through these interactions, the film explores deeper themes of political and social justice, focusing on the perpetual struggles of the common man.

The film is one of the few Arabic movies involved in a legal case. Novelist Nabil Farouk accused the film's writer, Bassam Ismail, of stealing the story from his booklet, The Mission, from the Cocktail 2000 series. This led to a court case between Nabil Farouk and the film's writer, Bassam Ismail.^[1]