https:\/\/behindthelensonline.net\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/btl-11-17-2025.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n <\/p>\n
This week on BEHIND THE LENS, it’s all about mysteries thanks to director STEPHEN SHIMEK talking about MURDER AT THE EMBASSY, and writer\/director LOTFY NATHAN discussing THE CARPENTER’S SON.<\/p>\n
But first, let’s take a little trip to Cairo with director STEPHEN SHIMEK and MURDER AT THE EMBASSY.<\/p>\n
The second film in the Miranda Greene franchise, this story is fun, and the film is as entertaining as it is beautiful, as it drenches you in the beauty and wonder of Egypt. Set in 1930s Cairo with pyramids and antiquities at the height of Egyptology and archaeology, private detective Miranda Green is called to investigate a suspicious murder inside Cairo\u2019s seemingly impenetrable British Embassy when she discovers a second crime has been committed that could spark war across the globe. Everyone within the walls of the embassy is a suspect, but the ultimate evil force is lurking right around the corner.<\/p>\n
Directed by STEPHEN SHIMEK and written by Mark Brennan, MURDER AT THE EMBASSY stars Mischa Barton, Mido Hamada, Kojo Attah, Nell Barlow, Raha Rahbari, Antonia Bernath, and Richard Dillane.<\/p>\n
I love Egyptology and archaeology and everything that surrounds the history and its uncovering, the period of the 30’s, and I am a longtime lover of mysteries, which makes this the perfect film for me. Think Agatha Christie meets Indiana Jones meets Jessica Fletcher. The film is light and bright, visually and in its tone. The mystery plot works, the characters are well done with believable ambiguity and guilt spread around, performances are solid. The chemistry between Mischa Barton as Miranda and Mido Hamada as Mamoud, head of security at the British Embassy, is wonderful and fuels the development of their character arc. Supporting cast who round out potential murder suspects include a journalist, an actress, a secretary, a translator, and the ambassador and his daughter, with all cast extremely well, most notably Koijo Atah as our journalist Walter, and Antonia Bernath, who is a hoot and a holler with shades of Judy Holliday as actress Betty. And of course, there\u2019s Miranda\u2019s trusted companion and assistant, her dog Blunder (who is a scene stealer).<\/p>\n
As you\u2019ll hear Stephen discuss, being a lover of mysteries himself, shooting this film and being in Cairo was a dream come true. Of course, quite often making dreams come true is not as easy as it sounds, and that was certainly the case here. Working with cinematographer Brian Vilim, who is also a producer on the film and with whom Stephen has worked on prior films, the two developed a delightful visual grammar that showcased the region, while constantly adapting their filming techniques to the changing conditions brought by light, sand, desert winds, and heat.\u00a0 And how about having to worry about hydration?\u00a0 Tricky was the editing process to balance suspense, humor, and \u201cinformation,\u201d and for that, Stephen turned to editor Matthew Jensen, whose openness to experimentation allowed them to try various pacing and structural approaches until they found what best served the film. And how about not only working with a dog, but worrying about a handful of camels, some donkeys, and yes, live scorpions?<\/p>\n
MURDER AT THE EMBASSY is now in theatres and available On Demand and on digital.<\/i><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/behindthelensonline.net\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/btl-11-17-2025-640x461.png\")
<\/p>\n