Synopsis
Reporting... a Revolution tells the story of six intrepid Egyptian journalists who watched in horror from their Cairo hotel as security forces attacked protesters near Tahrir Square during last year’s revolution. For weeks millions of viewers were able to follow the events of Arab Spring and ordinary Egyptians’ bid for freedom in which independent media in particular was to play a decisive role. Nobody could have suspected that the revolts organized by activists via social networks would lead to the collapse of a thirty-year-old repressive regime. Made in just eighteen days, this film is the biography of a nation and six courageous young reporters. It showcases these journalists’ hitherto unpublished footage and describes how - in spite of being so exposed - they managed to survive these dangerous weeks unscathed. All six were present when, on 28 January, 2011, hundreds of people were killed and thousands injured. Although the state’s security forces had largely blocked mobile phone and internet communication, somehow these reporters found a way to disseminate their footage. This film also highlights a dilemma: did these journalists see themselves as reporters sworn to remain neutral, or did they feel that, as citizens, it was their duty to join in the fight for democracy and change? Is it even possible to remain objective in the face of unbearable injustice and brutality?
Director
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Bassam MORTADABassam Mortada studied Independent Film and graduated at the Jesuite Cairo Cinema School and worked as an assistant director for a number of documentaries, short, independent fiction films. Mortada discussed Egyptian cinema and social issues through a number of lectures and seminars. He also has a number of published articles in this regard. Mortada directed his first feature documentary Reporting…a Revolution in 2012.
Reporting…a Revolution (2012)
Justice & Fairness (2009)
Women Voices (2009)
No Alternative (2009)
Helwan House (2006)
Credits
- Director Bassam MORTADA
- Producer Kismet El SAYED
- Writer Bassam MORTADA
- Cinematographer Bassam MORTADA
- Editor Inas MARZOUK
- Sound Khaled SHOKRY
Production Company
- Production Company Al Masry Media
Distributor/Sales
- Distributor/Sales Baby Blue Pictures
- Address Kreuzbergstraße 30, 10965 Berlin, Germany
- Tel 49 3083 104831
- E-mail oliver.huzly@babybluepictures.de