'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.
