In the Last Days of the City

At the Projector
12 Aug 2017
Part of the Middle Eastern Film Festival

Nice cinematography but i was disappointed by the lack of depth in the issues that could have been addressed. Four friends who gathered in Cairo, Egypt, for a final farewell. Lead actor goes around looking for a house to rent to no avail. The final house he viewed was really cost but way too expensive. The little girl in the picture which hung in this house bears semblance to the homeless lady on the street seeing the same white flowers or maybe she's just carrying that same white flowers and looking like she's looking for her list love on the streets of Egypt.

One friend migrates to Berlin, one lives in Beirut, another in Baghdad. His girl moved to somewhere in the last few scenes. What was disappointing was the lack of exploration as to why she moved. Maybe it was hinted at - the lack of affectionate display in public? Or maybe it could be the lead actor - he was far too sorrowful and constantly bemoaning the past. They clearly still have some feelings for each other though.

The lead films Hanan a storyteller, his mom, Leila his ex, his friends, the streets of Egypt with her strikes, arrests of protestors, the old giving way to some new. For ex i see Macs on the streets together with the conservative costumes.

The lead gets a phone call from one of his friends and finally opens his window to the stuffy room. Who was that? Is it good ex? She died? All we know is this friend cried which caused the change in voice.

The massive prayer on the streets which actually does cause traffic to show down.

Poetry survives despite hardship and war. It might even flourish.