Dear Ahmed,
Your film is a precious document, with great cinematography, which gives us a sense of urgency. One feels in the heart of the events that took place in Tahrir Square. At the same time, the film displays a secure use of filming procedures and devices. I had only seen one of your feature films -- the excellent "Basra" -- but I see here the work of a mature documentary filmmaker, an artist who does not fret before the risks of filming in dangerous situations and has, at the same time, all the tools to make a centered reflection about the events.
It's wonderful -- and utmost sincere -- the way you articulate the personal and the political. I loved that moment in which you consider whether you should have brought a camera or a stick to Tahrir Square -- that is the essential question of any artist who realizes he is involved in politics (all artists are; it only happens that many of them never come to that realization, as you did). In the end, it becomes clear that the camera was indeed your weapon -- and that the motivation was the call of your generation. And, of course, the painful consciousness that the way ahead was going to be painful but rewarding -- for your kids to enjoy a better life. That's heard throughout the square, through the voices of numberless women and men, and that's a watchword you embrace from the start. That is clearly shown in the affectionate way you showed your kids, after all the real reason for it all, both revolution and filmmaking.
I liked the way you showed the openness towards the Muslim Brothers (someone says "they are patriots, too") during the demonstrations and, later, their infidelity to the cause of democracy ("those who don't agree should leave the country", as a mullah says) -- which can be, I suppose, material for another documentary. Your film is thus bold and right to the point, for we all know this is a crucial issue for democracy building in Arab countries.
We also went through a painful process here in Brazil, in order to build democracy after 25 years of dictatorship (which ended in 1989). The road is full of bumps and potholes, but believe me, it is worth it.
So, congratulations -- keep up the work!
with admiration,
José
Your film is a precious document, with great cinematography, which gives us a sense of urgency. One feels in the heart of the events that took place in Tahrir Square. At the same time, the film displays a secure use of filming procedures and devices. I had only seen one of your feature films -- the excellent "Basra" -- but I see here the work of a mature documentary filmmaker, an artist who does not fret before the risks of filming in dangerous situations and has, at the same time, all the tools to make a centered reflection about the events.
It's wonderful -- and utmost sincere -- the way you articulate the personal and the political. I loved that moment in which you consider whether you should have brought a camera or a stick to Tahrir Square -- that is the essential question of any artist who realizes he is involved in politics (all artists are; it only happens that many of them never come to that realization, as you did). In the end, it becomes clear that the camera was indeed your weapon -- and that the motivation was the call of your generation. And, of course, the painful consciousness that the way ahead was going to be painful but rewarding -- for your kids to enjoy a better life. That's heard throughout the square, through the voices of numberless women and men, and that's a watchword you embrace from the start. That is clearly shown in the affectionate way you showed your kids, after all the real reason for it all, both revolution and filmmaking.
I liked the way you showed the openness towards the Muslim Brothers (someone says "they are patriots, too") during the demonstrations and, later, their infidelity to the cause of democracy ("those who don't agree should leave the country", as a mullah says) -- which can be, I suppose, material for another documentary. Your film is thus bold and right to the point, for we all know this is a crucial issue for democracy building in Arab countries.
We also went through a painful process here in Brazil, in order to build democracy after 25 years of dictatorship (which ended in 1989). The road is full of bumps and potholes, but believe me, it is worth it.
So, congratulations -- keep up the work!
with admiration,
José
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