In Tahrir Square: 18 Days of Egypt's Unfinished Revolution (HBO)

About In Tahrir Square: 18 Days of Egypt's Unfinished Revolution (HBO)

In Tahrir Square: 18 Days of Egypt's Unfinished Revolution is a 2012 HBO documentary that unfolds the story of courage and hope on the grounds of Tahrir Square, the epicenter of the Egyptian Revolution in 2011. The film presents an in-depth look at the demonstrations against police brutality, state of emergency laws, corruption, lack of free elections, and low living standards, which quickly turned into a revolution that ousted President Hosni Mubarak.

Making / Production

Directed by Jon Alpert and Matthew O'Neill, the film was shot in the heart of the protests - Tahrir Square. The directors strived to capture the essence of the revolution as it unfolded. This documentary was made possible with the collaboration of HBO and Downtown Community Television Center (DCTV).

Actors

As a documentary, In Tahrir Square features real-life protesters, activists, and common people who were a part of the Egyptian Revolution :

• Ahmed Hassan - A charismatic young Egyptian who shares his firsthand testimonies and dreams for a better Egypt.
• Khalid Abdalla - The Kite Runner actor and activist, provides profound commentaries on the ground realities.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The entire film was shot on the Canon XF305 professional camcorder, highlighting the filmmakers' nimble and immediate approach to documentary filmmaking in volatile environments.
• Several footages from this film have been used in other documentaries shedding light on the Arab Spring and the role of social media in it.

Awards

While In Tahrir Square: 18 Days of Egypt's Unfinished Revolution didn't win an award, the powerful depiction of an Egyptian revolution and its impact has been acclaimed by audiences and critics alike.

Quotes

• “I will not sell my country; I will die protecting it.” - Ahmed Hassan.
• “This square has witnessed a revolution that will change the world.” - Khalid Abdalla.

Music, Soundtrack

• The documentary features ambient sounds from Tahrir Square, giving it an authentic feel.
• There's no particular soundtrack for this film, its strength lies in its powerfully raw and brave footage from the heart of the revolution.