Cairo Time
Cairo Time

Movie spotlight

Cairo Time

2015
Movie
110 min
Arabic

Three stories take place over the course of a single day in Cairo. Lila, a retired actress, is looking for Sameh, her last co-star. Salma, is dating Wael and is in Wael's friend's apartment, after their marriage breaks down. Hazem is a young drug dealer on the run from Alexandria to Cairo and picks up an old man with Alzheimer's disease. The six characters find themselves at decisive points of their lives, which although disparate, are brought together by destiny, and are brought out through pitch-perfect performances by Egyptian cinema's legends.

Insights

IMDb6.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes76%
Metacritic62/100
Google Users78%
Director: Ruba NaddaGenres: Romance, Drama, Thriller

Plot Summary

A Norwegian woman named Juliette arrives in Cairo to visit her husband, who is delayed. She unexpectedly meets Tareq, a handsome and mysterious friend of her husband. As they spend time together exploring the ancient city, an undeniable attraction grows between them, leading to a dangerous and passionate affair amidst the backdrop of Cairo's vibrant streets.

Critical Reception

Cairo Time received a mixed to positive reception from critics. Many praised its atmospheric depiction of Cairo, the chemistry between the lead actors, and its exploration of themes of longing and forbidden desire. However, some critics found the pacing to be slow and the plot somewhat predictable.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its evocative setting and palpable romantic tension.

  • The performances of Clarkson and Siddig are a major highlight, conveying complex emotions.

  • Some viewers found the narrative to be a bit too understated, lacking significant dramatic arcs.

Google audience: Google users generally appreciated the film's romantic atmosphere and the performances of the lead actors. Many enjoyed the exotic setting of Cairo and the exploration of mature relationships. Some reviewers mentioned that while the film was enjoyable, it lacked a strong plot to keep them fully engaged.

Fun Fact

Director Ruba Nadda shot the film entirely on location in Cairo, aiming to capture the city's unique atmosphere and blend it with the characters' emotional journeys.

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