Muhammad Mustapha examines masculinity through Cairo bodybuilders in new documentary

According to Variety, Egyptian filmmaker Muhammad Mustapha’s documentary “Big Boys Don’t Cry” follows a group of Cairo bodybuilders and nightclub bouncers to examine how men understand and perform masculinity.

The project grew out of Mustapha’s curiosity about this particular group and had its world premiere in the Feature Documentary Competition at Egypt’s El Gouna Film Festival.

Mustapha stated that the only emotion men are allowed to express is anger.