Al midan (2013) Reviews

• Politics is not the same as revolution, and we are not good at this at all.

  lastliberal-853-2537082014-01-17

  The Square is a powerful movie with its focus on the quest for freedom and the desire to escape the prisons of oppression, violence, and evil leaders animated by merciless power and total disregard for human rights. On and off between late 2010 and 2013, thousands of protesters against "injustice, corruption, poverty, ignorance" filled Tahrir Square in Cairo, But it was not over when Mubarak was ousted as the military took control. The people once again marched to the square demanding civilian rule. We see incredible footage of the people's occupation of Tahrir Square, the violent attacks on the protesters, and heated political arguments in the street as secular Muslims express their embarrassment at the religious-based oppression by the newly powerful Brotherhood. This is a sharp warning to the powerful not to mess with the people that will resonate with anyone anywhere.

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• Helpful for understanding the ousting of Mubarek and Morsi

  paulahum2013-12-11

  I saw this film months after the previous review. Obviously, the filmmakers went back and re-edited their work. The resulting film is powerful, insightful and helpful to those of us for whom "Egypt" conjures images of the pyramids. This film shows very clearly how an idea of justice and government by the people can be co-opted by those who do not necessarily have the same goals. In the end, it also asks of us, the viewers, "What are you willing to do to change a situation?" It also points out that change doesn't happen quickly or easily. Most effectively, the story follows specific individuals and makes one care about how the outcome will effect them. Americans, take note. Most of those who chanted "Yes, we can" meant "yes, HE can" and then expected the dirty work of change to be others' responsibility. This shows how hard change really is. Don't miss it.

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• Not only is it accurate, but it brings pride to the Martyrs of the revolution

  bling772014-01-20

  As both an Egyptian and a Filmmaker, I could not have been more proud of this title. The Square is a MUST SEE documentary. which takes you from the very beginning of the 2011 Egyptian Revolution, until recent events that occurred throughout the past three years. The Square focuses on a perspective that didn't have it's voice in the mainstream media, the liberal perspective. A point of view that basically initiated the Egyptian revolution. It's ambition doesn't necessarily focus on appointing a new leader nor a new constitution. But on how an Egyptian were dismissing the needs of another Egyptian for their own political interests. Although Director Jehane Noujaim showed the various different perspectives on the revolution, she succeeded on finding the ultimate common interest that led to the downfall of The Mubarak Regime, The Supreme Court of Armed Forces and last but not least, The Muslim Brotherhood. The style of filmmaking and editing also contribute heavily on the film. The way the story transitions through music and art was spectacular. This proves what an individual can do with a camera. The awards that went to this movie doesn't even give it justice. But the movie itself gives justice to the people of Egypt and to those who lost their souls fighting for it.

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• Where revolutions end... Fantastic film.

  missy1129042013-02-11

  Hard to digest at first, but ultimately a fantastic film. I have seen many "documentaries" on the Arab Spring, and none have come close to covering a revolution so completely. I recall seeing the director, Jehane Noujaim on (I believe) the today show last year after she was arrested by the police or Army in Cairo and put in prison while making this film. I can only applaud when, aside from risking their lives, a filmmaker takes on the task of condensing 2 years of history into less than 2 hours of what sums up a truly complicated and twisted situation which may be the most influential of the Arab Spring. When Syrians finally take down their dictator, will they be able to watch this film and get all the answers? Definitely not, but this films gives a real and raw insight into not only what it means to be a revolutionary, but where the path of the revolutionary really ends. S.F.

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• An charactered portrayal of a time of chaos

  broken-icarus2013-02-11

  The moment the film started, my blood was running at a high-octane buzz. As someone who cares deeply about social movements in general and the Middle East specifically, I was elsewhere through the beginning of the Egyptian Revolution, so learned many of the details from this film firsthand. The story is long, chaotic, and without definitive resolution, just like the moment it follows. That is its strength, and its legacy. We meet 5 courageous characters, a variety of Egyptians, and we learn why they devoted the last two years of their lives to protesting in the square. The way they speak about their country is heartbreakingly direct, and when they suffer for their goals it's heartbreaking. Interesting, too, is the balance of art, protest, technology, discussion, and music in the protester's toolkits. The picture is up-close, traumatic, and fast-paced, which was all the better. When a story is ongoing, I don't want a portrait with clear summaries and 20/20 hindsight. I want the information that the revolutionaries had as they made their decisions.

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