Revolution on reel

In January 25, 2011, thousands of Egyptian demonstrators filled Cairo's Tahreer Square, chanting slogans of freedom, calling citizens to join hands to end the corrupt regime of Hosni Mubarak. For most Indians, and people across the world, the Arab Spring (in Egypt), is more or less just that.

A still from 1/2 Revolution

However, Omar Shargawi and Karim El Hakim, two documentary filmmakers, who set out to capture the streets of Cairo over two weeks, bring a totally different perspective of the protests in their documentary Half Revolution that will be screened at the Blue Frog on Sunday.

Brought to the city, by the Root Reel in collaboration with the Dharamshala International Film Festival as part of their Best Documentary Series, it tells the story of a close-knit group of activist friends, who struggle to stay alive and stick together as the protests progress outside Kareem's apartment in Tahreer Square.

"The film gives the Arab Spring, a human touch; something the news reports and most of the TV coverage failed to capture," says Tenzing Sonam, founder and co-director of the Dharamshala International Film Festival.

"It starts with portraying the initial euphoria and excitement among people to be part of something so big and historic, and then moves towards the darker sides of the revolution. These friends find themselves struggling to stay united as they fight the counter punches thrown by police and the armed gangs of thugs swarming the streets below their balcony."

Tenzing adds while people are beginning to realise now that the Arab Spring was an incomplete revolution, Half Revolution did it long time ago. "By the end of the film, you realise that nothing is achieved. You get the sense that the revolution is incomplete," he shares.

On September 1, 7 pm
At Blue Frog, Mathuradas Mill Compound, Lower Parel.
Call 61586158

A still from Gomorrah

A still from The Bicycle Thieves

The Last Emperor

Reels from Italy
The Filmmakers of Italy festival by Enlighten Film Society will be held at the Russian Centre. Catch the screening of three acclaimed Italian films: Bicycle Thieves (12 pm), The Last Emperor (2 pm) and Gomorrah (5 pm).
On September 1, 12 pm onwards.
At Russian Centre, Peddar Road.