Set entirely in an 8m police truck, a number of detainees from different political and social backgrounds are brought together by their inevitable fate, during the turmoil that followed the ousting of former president Morsi from power.
Boasting superb camerawork from d.p. Ahmed Gabr and stellar crowd direction, Clash might strike some as crossing too often into hysteria, yet this is bravura filmmaking with a kick-in-the-gut message about chaos and cruelty (with some humanity).
Remarkably, the film doesn't take sides. This in itself raises it above a purely political discussion in favor of a sweeping criticism of prejudice and inhumanity. Yet it will be remembered as one of the most telling depictions of modern Egypt yet filmed.
Mohamed Diab's superb Egyptian drama is set in the aftermath of the overthrow of President Morsi in 2013, with the army engaged in running battles on the streets with the pro-Morsi Muslim Brotherhood.
With a unique scenario and maintaining a scrupulous point of view, the director manages to give voice to members of all political and religious factions. [Full review in Spanish]
Diab encloses in a single stage space a range of characters to try to explain what happens in that country demonstrates how it has turned to immobility. [Full review in Spanish]
Challenging and provocative, but the limitations it places on itself restrict the appreciation for anyone not already steeped in its culture and politics.
