User Reviews

"Film Hindi" plot revolves around the friendship and foibles of "Cheb" Sayed, a barber, and Atef, a satellite dish installation operative. Their friendship of thirty years is tested when a conflict over an apartment in Shobra arises when it turns out that both their respective partners desire that house. "Film Hindi" is an entertaining film overall, with catchy tunes including "raï" music which originated in Western Algeria. It can be viewed as a spoof on Bollywood films, which are distinct for their incorporation of music and dancing.

The film tries to portray the lower and middle class through the goals, dreams and ambitions of the two main leads. It also tackles sensitive subject matter that includes religion, brotherhood, youth culture and Westernization, relationships and national unity. What I particularly disliked about the film was its misogynistic portrayal of women and insensitive treatment of religion.

I felt that the film was biased towards Islam since the Christian characters were portrayed in an unflattering light as compared to the Muslims, though this is debatable. To elaborate, Orthodox Mary is selfish, spiteful and shallow, despite all her religious pretensions. Reformist Atef is a bumbling, repressed weakling who is willing to convert from Reformist to Orthodox for a women, thus showing the strength and devotion to his faith as compared to his devotion to women. Muslim Sayed, on the other hand, was shown as better understanding of the nature of sacrifice and giving despite his outward appearance of frivolity.

Christian ritual was also treated lightly. The priest was shown as more of a relationship and sex counselor rather than a divine guide and leader. The scenes of prayer/mass and candle-lighting were used as backdrops for Atef to pursue Mary, his latest love interest thus making the church seem more like a socializing place/ dating hot spot instead of a place of worship. Interestingly, the interior of no mosque or Islamic ritual was shown.

In terms of misogyny, I felt that the female characters were very one-dimensional, and portrayed more of as objects and as venues for sexual gratification. The women were also shown as having exaggerated characteristics causing them to be quarrelsome and meddlesome. Ultimately they are discarded and Sayed and Atef are shown as happier and more carefree without them.

The film can be merited on account of how the director manages to treat sensitive topics using humor as a medium, and in such a way that does not directly address or undermine the tensions that exist between the (Coptic) Christians and Muslims, though not very skillfully, in my opinion.

All in all, I can conclude that this film should be watched as pure entertainment, and not have serious readings as a realistic portrait of the Egyptian lower/middle class and the issues that they face.

While Film Hindi is not an entirely deep and moving film, it does raise certain issues regarding Muslim and Christian coexistence. The friendship between Sayed and Atef is able to remain strong for years, despite "negative" influences such as women, and personal objects regarding the purchase house.

However, the film does not portray women or Christianity in a positive listening to her and almost goes behind Sayed's back by taking the house that he wants. Furthermore, women are continued to be depicted in a negative manner. The character of Mary, a Christian woman, is portrayed as being bossy and also as the main force in destroying the friendship between Sayed and Atef. Under her influence Atef considers aspect through the character of Aida, who appears to be completely subordinate to her husband.

Despite these faults, Film Hindi is still a light-hearted film that uses song and dance to create this light tone.

"Film Hindi" successfully manages to integrate characteristically Indian film themes into an Egyptian film and thus, incorporates such elements as romance, music/dancing, and melodrama in an attempt to mimic Indian films. The film focuses on the strong brotherly bond shared by the two main characters Sayed, a Muslim barber and Atef, a Christian satellite dish installer and analyses the influence of women, money, and religion on their relationship as well as their respective lives. It further highlights the issue of nationalism, questioning its strength among the younger generation and examines the influence of Algeria, India, and America on Egyptian culture.

There are several references to religion in the film and in general, the Muslim characters appear to be more selfless and devoted than the Christian characters and consequently Christianity seems to be portrayed in a negative manner. Furthermore, the female characters Mary and Aida are depicted as selfish and powerless respectively and thus, women in general are represented as immature and petty beings.

Overall, the film was entertaining and raised some issues regarding the lower/middle class Egyptian lifestyle worth examining.

Film Hindi isn't a life-changing movie. While issues of modernity vs. tradition in today's Egypt and the differences between Muslim and Copt are addressed, there is no profound message about either of them. The movie is, in the end, a light-hearted comedy that begins with peppy Rai music and ends with laughter. From a Western point of view, the main character's struggle to find a wife is not nearly as believable as it would be for an Egyptian audience, and those of us not acquainted with Indian Film will not understand much of the satire. But Atef's fears of sin and his various neuroses combine to make him likable enough, and the trials of his friendship and engagement are universal. I still wonder about the nature of his friendship, and his true motivation to get married, but you can decide what you want about those.