The Square

'It's less a need for a leader and more for a conscience'--quote from one of the revolutionaries I have yet to see "The Act of Killing" and "20 Feet From Stardom", so I cannot say that "The Square" should be the Oscar winner for Best Documentary Feature. However, I have a hard time imagining a documentary better than "The Square". It's what a documentary should be--it involves the viewer, fills them with anger about a problem and offers some sort of hope.

"The Square" is a film about the Egyptian Revolution--something that is not yet complete and is in its third year. The film traces the steps that have occurred from the standpoint of folks who have staged sit-ins at Tahrir Square. The Revolution occurred because, quite simply, folks were sick and tired of the repression, torture and violence done by the Mubarak military-backed regime. At first, all groups opposed to the government banded together--they all wanted change. However, through the course of the Revolution, those opposing the government soon fell into two camps--the Muslim Brotherhood (which wanted a government based on Sharia law; i.e., a strict theocracy) and the rest who were pushing for democratic freedoms. And, sadly, as the process continued, the Brotherhood soon allied itself with the military. It seemed that individual freedom was NOT what the organization was about after all--they just wanted power for themselves and not the other dissidents. What's to happen? After all, the leader of the Brotherhood has just been elected president and the legislature is controlled by them as well. Well, oddly, the democratic groups had one final ally--the military!! Weird, as now the military is back in control--and with the consent, for now, of the democracy movement! Obviously, the Revolution is far from over.

The film is a must-see for everyone, as the news media here in the US has done a terrible job covering the events. And, too often, they just parrot the administration's assertion that the Brotherhood is a representative government. It's also a must-see because it shows various sides of the conflict and is highly informative. Additionally, you really have to admire the filmmakers--they could have easily been killed filming some of the scenes. Exceptional.

this movie really touched me. it showed the real story. the story has almost been forgotten because of the media,the ruling regime,the soldiers of the old regime ... As an Egyptian and as a participant in the revolution since the 28th of January 2011,I can tell that this movie shows one of the most honest images of the revolution as well as a complete one,of course some events were dropped, but as an overall all major events and the complete story- line of the revolution has been told. Despite being a documentary,it is also very clear that the movie reserved the thriller and the spirit in every single moment. can't agree more about all the opinions stated in it. can't agree more about the sequence and the severity and reactions of the events showed in. But our (the Egyptians) major problem until now is that after 3 years we didn't accomplish the demands and the requests of the revolution. I hope there would be more parts of this movie,more parts until we reclaim our freedom and demands.

Hard to digest at first, but ultimately a fantastic film. I have seen many "documentaries" on the Arab Spring, and none have come close to covering a revolution so completely. I recall seeing the director, Jehane Noujaim on (I believe) the today show last year after she was arrested by the police or Army in Cairo and put in prison while making this film. I can only applaud when, aside from risking their lives, a filmmaker takes on the task of condensing 2 years of history into less than 2 hours of what sums up a truly complicated and twisted situation which may be the most influential of the Arab Spring. When Syrians finally take down their dictator, will they be able to watch this film and get all the answers? Definitely not, but this films gives a real and raw insight into not only what it means to be a revolutionary, but where the path of the revolutionary really ends.

S.F.

The moment the film started, my blood was running at a high-octane buzz. As someone who cares deeply about social movements in general and the Middle East specifically, I was elsewhere through the beginning of the Egyptian Revolution, so learned many of the details from this film firsthand. The story is long, chaotic, and without definitive resolution, just like the moment it follows. That is its strength, and its legacy.

We meet 5 courageous characters, a variety of Egyptians, and we learn why they devoted the last two years of their lives to protesting in the square. The way they speak about their country is heartbreakingly direct, and when they suffer for their goals it's heartbreaking. Interesting, too, is the balance of art, protest, technology, discussion, and music in the protester's toolkits. The picture is up-close, traumatic, and fast-paced, which was all the better. When a story is ongoing, I don't want a portrait with clear summaries and 20/20 hindsight. I want the information that the revolutionaries had as they made their decisions.

As both an Egyptian and a Filmmaker, I could not have been more proud of this title. The Square is a MUST SEE documentary. which takes you from the very beginning of the 2011 Egyptian Revolution, until recent events that occurred throughout the past three years.

The Square focuses on a perspective that didn't have it's voice in the mainstream media, the liberal perspective. A point of view that basically initiated the Egyptian revolution. It's ambition doesn't necessarily focus on appointing a new leader nor a new constitution. But on how an Egyptian were dismissing the needs of another Egyptian for their own political interests. Although Director Jehane Noujaim showed the various different perspectives on the revolution, she succeeded on finding the ultimate common interest that led to the downfall of The Mubarak Regime, The Supreme Court of Armed Forces and last but not least, The Muslim Brotherhood.

The style of filmmaking and editing also contribute heavily on the film. The way the story transitions through music and art was spectacular. This proves what an individual can do with a camera.

The awards that went to this movie doesn't even give it justice. But the movie itself gives justice to the people of Egypt and to those who lost their souls fighting for it.