In her debut feature documentary '50 Meters,' Egyptian filmmaker Yumna Khattab invites audiences from Copenhagen and Egypt on a deeply personal journey that intertwines familial relationships with themes of time and solitude. The film premiered internationally in the Next: Wave competition at the Copenhagen International Documentary Festival (CPH:DOX) and later showcased its Arab premiere at the El Gouna Film Festival before receiving a broader release in Cairo. The structure of the film revolves around a fifty-meter swimming pool, exploring intimate moments through the lens of the filmmaker's connection to her father.

Set against the backdrop of a Cairo health club's swimming facility, the film captures the serene yet charged atmosphere where elderly men participate in water aerobics. This unique setting provides a quiet sanctuary, distanced from the distractions of everyday life, allowing Yumna to reflect on her own memories alongside the narrative of her father's story. As we witness the men's quiet rituals, her personal voiceovers weave through scenes, enriching the documentary with layers of nostalgia and emotional resonance.

Through these juxtaposed images and reflections, '50 Meters' not only delves into the innate fear of loneliness that accompanies aging but also highlights the universality of human experiences relating to familial ties. By intermingling the physicality of the swimming pool with intimate recollections of growing up and the complexities of parent-child relationships, Khattab creates a poignant meditation on life's passage and connections. This blend of personal and visceral themes invites the audience to ponder their own relationships and the inexorable passage of time.