Clash

2016 [ARABIC]

Action / Drama / Thriller / War

51
Rotten Tomatoes Critics - Rotten 82% · 45 reviews
Rotten Tomatoes Audience - Upright 82% · 250 ratings
IMDb Rating 7.4/10 10 6468 6.5K

egypt cairo street riots lynching egyptian revolution police truck

Plot summary

In 2013, in Cairo, a tragic fate brings together several detainees from different political and social backgrounds inside a police truck, during the turmoil that followed the ousting of president Morsi.

Director

Mohamed Diab Photo
Mohamed Diab

Top cast

Ahmed Malek Photo
Ahmed Malek as Mans
Khaled Kamal Photo
Khaled Kamal
Ahmed Dash Photo
Ahmed Dash as Faris
Nelly Karim Photo
Nelly Karim as Nagwa
720p.BluRay 1080p.BluRay
762.17 MB
1280*714
Arabic 2.0
NR
Subtitles sa  
25 fps
1 hr 37 min
Seeds 1
1.57 GB
1920*1072
Arabic 2.0
NR
Subtitles sa  
25 fps
1 hr 37 min
Seeds 1

Movie Reviews

Reviewed by InnerWisdom1000 8 / 10

Claustrophobic Intensity

Some may argue that you cannot really 'get' this film unless you are knowledgeable about the geopolitics of Egypt. And they have a very valid point. However, this is far too narrow a view to have and fails to grasp the bigger picture at play here: the hatred and animosity of those who are blinded by their own political and religious views to the detriment of others. Or dismissive of those who are not part of either. And yet the director shows us glimpses of human understanding and compassion which breach through the hatred and contempt and gives the viewer hope. Even if short-lived.It is very difficult to pull off a whole film in effectively one setting - the back of a police van, in this case - and hold the viewer's attention throughout. But this film succeeds with high marks on this count. And leaves the viewer questioning at the end: would we behave in a similar fashion to most of the characters or would we behave differently? Or is that all just wishful thinking?An excellent, thought-provoking film. Highly recommend.
Reviewed by arungeorge13 8 / 10

An Egyptian gem that will thrill you to the bone! [+82%]

The movie opens with a few lines recounting the events that led to the heated rivalry between the Army (& pro-army supporters) and the Muslim Brotherhood (henceforth 'MB'); the camera having set its gaze inside an army truck. A couple of journalists (who claim to be neutral to both factions) are arrested and brought into the truck. Their attempts at drawing an Anti-MB mob's attention to assist in their escape backfire when the senior reporter is observed to capture the incident on a watch that doubles as a camera. The army is forced to apprehend the mob for pelting stones and lock them inside the truck. One thing leads to another and before we know it, a bunch of MB supporters are taken into custody and put along with the rest of the detainees in the truck. The situation outside is tense in itself, but imagine supporters of two rickety factions being forced to share a claustrophobic space together. The numbers comprise people not just with different political ideals, but of varied age-groups, religions and genders. The writing is sensationally solid with lines given to members from both divisions to substantiate their character arcs. But circumstances are such that, eventually, all of them start to wilt and run out of hope (and breath) while stuck inside the van, left undeniably helpless when it comes to saving their own butts before their loved ones'.The crowd includes individuals who are friends, relatives, acquaintances and even colleagues. Although it might seem a little difficult to follow the names and faces of each of the characters, the writing/direction is sublime enough to collectively grasp the divided opinion. What's astonishing here is how the Diabs even manage to bring in some unexpected comic relief as well in the form of a brilliantly-written scene involving a wannabe actor/singer, that is just a fleeting moment of joy before terror strikes yet again. Cinematography work (by Ahmed Gabr) is first-rate. Even though shooting within the confined setting of the film must have been strenuous, there are plenty of visuals (and scenes in totality) that stick with the viewer: the adolescent woman who struggles hard to hold nature's calls but seemingly gives in at one point, the aspiring DJ who has had enough of seeing everyone around him riot and settles into his own "happy zone" by listening to music from his phone, the soldier who disobeys orders while delineating his humanitarian side, the reversal of fate for another officer (the list is endless!).The crafting of the riot scenes taking place outside is magnificently believable and terrifying to perceive. To add to the positives of the film, the climactic finale was indeed difficult to envisage. The tagline of the film says "Conflict is on the Inside" and it reinstates this through a powerful narrative which delves into both political and personal strife. The film rightfully deserves a bigger audience and greater appreciation than it has already been earning.Verdict: Must-watch!
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