Watch We Are Egypt

We Are Egypt is an uplifting and inspiring documentary that recounts the extraordinary events that took place in Egypt in 2011, when millions of ordinary citizens gathered together to overthrow the dictatorial regime of President Hosni Mubarak. The film is directed by Lillie Paquette, an American filmmaker who spent several months in Egypt during the revolution, and it features interviews with a wide range of individuals who played a pivotal role in the uprising, including activists, journalists, artists, and everyday people who took to the streets to demand change.

The documentary begins by providing some context for the events that led up to the revolution, including the decades of authoritarian rule that had left many Egyptians feeling disenfranchised and oppressed. It then moves on to the early days of the uprising, when a small group of activists used social media to galvanize support for a large-scale protest on January 25th, Egypt's national holiday.

As the film progresses, we see the protests grow in size and intensity, as ordinary citizens from all walks of life come together with a shared goal of toppling the government. We witness the bravery and resilience of the protesters in the face of violent crackdowns by police and security forces, as well as their creativity and ingenuity in finding ways to keep the momentum of the revolution going.

Throughout the film, we also see the human side of the uprising, as the cameras follow the lives of several young activists who are dedicated to the cause of social justice and democratic reform. We see their joys and triumphs, as well as their fears and doubts, and we gain a deeper understanding of what drove them to risk everything for the sake of a better future.

One of the most compelling aspects of We Are Egypt is its resolute commitment to telling the untold stories of the revolution. In addition to featuring interviews with well-known figures like the journalist Mona Eltahawy and the political scientist Saad Eddin Ibrahim, the film also shines a spotlight on lesser-known voices, such as the young graffiti artist Ammar, the community organizer Ahmed, and the musician Ramy Essam.

These voices represent the diversity and complexity of the Egyptian people, and they serve as a reminder that the revolution was not just a political movement, but a cultural one as well. We see how the arts played a crucial role in the uprising, as musicians, poets, and other artists used their talents to inspire and unify the protesters.

Another strength of the documentary is its use of archival footage and news clips, which provide a visceral sense of the excitement and chaos that characterized the revolution. From the first moments of the protests to the dramatic scenes of Mubarak's resignation, the film captures the energy and emotion of this historic moment in Egyptian history.

At the same time, though, We Are Egypt does not shy away from the difficult questions that arose in the aftermath of the revolution. As the country struggled to chart a new course for itself, tensions arose between different factions of the revolutionary movement, and old divisions began to reassert themselves.

The film does not offer easy answers to these challenges, but it does make clear that the struggle for democracy and human rights is an ongoing one, and that it requires the sustained effort and dedication of all who believe in these values.

Overall, We Are Egypt is a powerful and moving tribute to the courage and resilience of the Egyptian people in their quest for freedom and justice. Through its vivid and compelling storytelling, the film offers a deeply human perspective on one of the most important events of the 21st century, and it provides a window into the hopes and dreams of those who risked everything to create a better world.

We Are Egypt is a 2012 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 25 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.8.