I always said that the Egyptian people should win an Oscar for their revolutionary spirits, and this film proves just that!! The fact that the first Egyptian film to be nominated for an Oscar is a film about Tahrir square, is nothing short of amazing!! And the fact that it is actually banned from being screened in Egypt, is a testament to the corruption that persists.
I was too much of a coward to join the protests in Tahrir in 2011, but this film made me feel like I was right there. It takes you back on a memory lane through all the struggles that happened in the square, all the shifts and dilemmas. I was so glad that the film showed different viewpoints of people. It showed the standpoint of not just the rebellious youth but also of the opposing people in authority. It also presented the ideology of the Muslim brotherhood in a very humane way, instead of portraying them as terrorist like Egyptian media currently does. Above all, it portrayed military brutality!! And that in itself is the biggest triumph of the film since military authorities are now brainwashing people like never before.
I must say that every Egyptian needs to see this film to be reminded of the corruption of military rulers, of the thousands of souls we lost, and of the quest for freedom we all started 3 years ago, which most of us have become cynical about today.
It is sad to realize that now that the square is empty, even though the ideals that the people fought and died for are still nowhere to be found. I had actually given up on the dream that this country will ever change, but after seeing this film and seeing that there are people still fighting out there, I can hope once more.
I was too much of a coward to join the protests in Tahrir in 2011, but this film made me feel like I was right there. It takes you back on a memory lane through all the struggles that happened in the square, all the shifts and dilemmas. I was so glad that the film showed different viewpoints of people. It showed the standpoint of not just the rebellious youth but also of the opposing people in authority. It also presented the ideology of the Muslim brotherhood in a very humane way, instead of portraying them as terrorist like Egyptian media currently does. Above all, it portrayed military brutality!! And that in itself is the biggest triumph of the film since military authorities are now brainwashing people like never before.
I must say that every Egyptian needs to see this film to be reminded of the corruption of military rulers, of the thousands of souls we lost, and of the quest for freedom we all started 3 years ago, which most of us have become cynical about today.
It is sad to realize that now that the square is empty, even though the ideals that the people fought and died for are still nowhere to be found. I had actually given up on the dream that this country will ever change, but after seeing this film and seeing that there are people still fighting out there, I can hope once more.