This film isn't really about the Egyptian revolution, but much more about the effect of the Egyptian revolution on a group of friends with cameras who find themselves nearby to it. But they are isolated figures from the dynamics of the revolution, very distant bystanders and they finally evacuate. This is understandable, they are not professional journalists, one has a child, and they do manage some footage of some government thugs gathering in the streets, and other dangerous developments, but most of the content is footage of their reactions, their excitement, to fear, to confusion, etc.
In this context, the film is interesting in its own right. The perspective and disruption of westernised middle-class young adults is still a valid perspective. But it is hardly an example of the illuminating future of citizen journalism. A viewer leaves this film with basically no greater understanding of the politics, power structures, or plight of an average Egyptian, nor their take on the revolution. They have ample opportunity to dig, to interview bystanders, but they don't.
All the really strong footage of the developments, the attack in the square, etc, has been taken from traditional news outlets. Unlike the people in the streets, the viewer is acutely away that these filmmakers can leave whenever they want. And that is exactly what they do, well before the revolution reaches its apex. It's not a bad film, it is just only goes about 1/2 as far as it needs to.
In this context, the film is interesting in its own right. The perspective and disruption of westernised middle-class young adults is still a valid perspective. But it is hardly an example of the illuminating future of citizen journalism. A viewer leaves this film with basically no greater understanding of the politics, power structures, or plight of an average Egyptian, nor their take on the revolution. They have ample opportunity to dig, to interview bystanders, but they don't.
All the really strong footage of the developments, the attack in the square, etc, has been taken from traditional news outlets. Unlike the people in the streets, the viewer is acutely away that these filmmakers can leave whenever they want. And that is exactly what they do, well before the revolution reaches its apex. It's not a bad film, it is just only goes about 1/2 as far as it needs to.
