Anyway, the movie was really nice and it tackled (didn't recommend solution) the problem of suppressed feelings between Muslims and Copts in Egypt.
The thing I liked most in the movie was a very honest part that is personalized in a short talk between two priests entering the event of national unity walking down to the Cairo Conference Center, complaining about the severe obstacles the government imposes on constructing churches and the near-la
ck of Coptic representation in both Parliament and Cabinet.
On the other hand, two Muslim clerics claim that Copts control the economy; that whenever they build a Mosque, the Christians insist on building a church in front of it; and that the Coptic calls for Eastern Christmas to be a national holiday have led to an influx of vacations. Then once inside the conference, the four men are shown holding each others' hands, and chanting “Yahia El-helal maa Al-saleeb” (Long live the crescent with the cross).
ck of Coptic representation in both Parliament and Cabinet.On the other hand, two Muslim clerics claim that Copts control the economy; that whenever they build a Mosque, the Christians insist on building a church in front of it; and that the Coptic calls for Eastern Christmas to be a national holiday have led to an influx of vacations. Then once inside the conference, the four men are shown holding each others' hands, and chanting “Yahia El-helal maa Al-saleeb” (Long live the crescent with the cross).
"The brilliance of the scene lies in the novelty of watching these widespread remarks uttered candidly on the silver screen, of the shock behind watching one of cinema’s primary taboos finally shattered for the first time." Critique.
I guess this is the main problem that we have this dual nature in many things, and one of the most serious is the religion. These conference should be a place where people get out all what they have, agree on the common ground, and respect each other's beliefs even if they disagree with. This way we can live in peace and fear no threat.
Anyway, it is a nice movie, and highly recommended specially with the smooth yet deep and classy acting of the super star Omar El Sharif.
Mohaly
Great review! I was also wondering where you got this quote from:
ReplyDelete"The brilliance of the scene lies in the novelty of watching these widespread remarks uttered candidly on the silver screen, of the shock behind watching one of cinema’s primary taboos finally shattered for the first time." Critique.
Thanks Pansee, the problem is that I have copied the quote and then lost the link, trying to find it till now but it was on a foriegn website talking about discrimination in Egypt.
ReplyDeleteI saw the preview on Al Qahira Al yom yesterday it seems a great one, but unfort. it is not shown in Dubai.
ReplyDeleteThis problem is a huge one, and God Bless Egypt and keep it safe inshaa Allah
here you go the link mohaly to the original article .. no problem http://www.dailystaregypt.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=14928
ReplyDeletehi!
ReplyDeletei did enjoy the movie a lot (mostly because of Sherif's heartfelt performance). i did however have some reservations at the way it was done rather than the issue it discussed...
for example, the scene you mentioned was brilliant until they kept repeating their hetaf over and over for what seemed to be more of a pseudo-comedy effect that i believe adel emam is only good for!
and from a directing perspective i thought too many scenes were overdone instead of just simple pointing out of facts and leaving the audience some space to do their own thinking... in sum, i think the movie was perfect for entertaning purposes only but it barely did anything more than mentioning the obvious!
that's my very humble opinion anyway!
enjoying your blog :)