Forbidden

A woman’s attempt to get to the bottom of why she lives in such a repressive society ends up being a prophetic snapshot of the final days of a fallen regime. Days after finishing her film, Egypt’s corrupt government disintegrated. The filmmaker is an ordinary Cairo citizen, but her life was ruled by a thousand dictates, meant to define and refine her. From filming on the street, where to walk, who to mix with, to going out at night and buying electronic equipment, much was forbidden; and for women, it was doubly burdensome. Through discussions with friends and commentators, it’s revealed how difficult life under Mubarak’s regime was for ordinary citizens, including bans on talking to foreigners, showing affection, travelling and what films to see. As a slice of life, it offers a fascinating insight into the background of the wider Arab uprisings, presenting an everyday social dimension to the humiliation faced by many across the Arab world at the hands of their own rulers.

The film screening will be followed by a discussion with the author Amal Ramsis, one of the selectors of this year’s festival’s film programme. The discussion will be in English.

Language: Arab, with English subtitles.

Organisation: City of Women; In collaboration with: Slovenska Kinoteka