SPLA : Portal to cultural diversity
Mtandao wa Sanaa Kenya

Tentmakers of Cairo (The)

  • Tentmakers of Cairo (The)
Genre : Social
Type : Documentary
Original title : Sunaa' al-kheyam fi al-Qahira
Principal country concerned : Column : Cinema/tv
Year of production : 2015
Format : Feature
Running time : 98 (in minutes)
http://www.tentmakersofcairo.com

Filmed over three years, this is a story of Egypt's struggle with democracy told through a community of artisans whose craft has remained largely unchanged since Pharaonic times. With unprecedented access into the heart of Old Islamic Cairo, the story follows four talented tentmakers who try to make sense of Egypt's struggle with democracy as they hand stitch incredibly detailed designs. Visually striking, the camera moves through each and every scene as though it is a part of the conversation, a member of the community. The layered images match the multilayered story that emerges. Contrasts exist not only in the imagery where the brightly detailed and colourful art works clash with the dirt and grime of the street, but also in the societal differences, wealth and political views which the film addresses. ‘The Tentmakers of Cairo' is a journey into a part of Egypt many will never visit, well beyond the pyramids and papyrus, and behind many of the images seen on the nightly news.



Articles

1 files

Partners

  • Kenya : Arterial Network chapter
  • Kenya : Ketebul Music
  • Kenya : Studio Vista Network
  • Kenya : Kuona Trust
  • Kenya : The Theatre Company

With the support of