The Square: A Reflection on the Egyptian Revolution and its Impact

This report provides a reflection on the documentary film "The Square," examining the Egyptian Revolution and its aftermath. The analysis focuses on the political unrest, social dynamics, and the roles played by various actors, including the military, the Muslim Brotherhood, and the protesters. The report highlights the film's depiction of dictatorship, human rights issues, and the impact of the protests in Tahrir Square. It discusses the perspectives of key figures like Aida El Kashef and Bothaina Kamel, while also considering the limitations of the film's portrayal of certain groups and events. The report underscores the complexities of the revolution and its impact on Egyptian society, addressing issues of corruption, economic downturns, and the struggle for democratic ideals.

Running head: REFLECTION ON THE MOVIE “THE SQUARE” 1
Reflection on the movie “The Square”
(Author’s name)
(Institutional Affiliation)

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Reflection on the movie “The Square”
The high rates of corruption, economic downturns, and human exploitation brought
Muslims, seculars, Christian Copts, and Islamists demanding for the deposition of the President
(Fisher, 2014). These people stood united to make sure that their mission is achieved. As the
people are attacked by police officers they continue marching towards the square. The unity
among the people gives them strength and power to face the military.
The film clearly portrays that the military and the Muslim Brotherhood are the ones that
led to an immediate failure of the revolution. In the film, the brotherhood is not well shown as it
should be (Scott, 2013). The brotherhood is shown as an organization in the later parts of the
movie. The director also does not give the members of the Brotherhood an opportunity to explain
their actions to make Mohammed as President.
Although the revolutionaries look at the brotherhood as betrayers to social justice, they
still do not support the assaults on them (Scott, 2013). They seem to understand that they
snatched away a democratic process and no Islam should be assaulted during the protests. Islam
plays a major role in ensuring that all the people in the society are served with equity.
The main actors in the movie indicator that the whole electoral process was biased and
led to a new era of dictatorship. All the revolutionaries are betrayed yet they were fighting
together with a common goal hence, brotherhood endorses their own President, Mubarak Morsi.
The Egyptians protested the President elect because, it felt like a betrayal to the nation
(Fisher, 2014). Secondly, the President is a dictator who exploits the nation’s resources. The
President is not considered a statesman worthy of taking risks for his country. As per the people,

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they need the President who is optimistic and ready to take risks (Scott, 2013). In the nation, the
President is deposed by the people since he is a dictator plunging the country into civil starvation
and corruption.
In the movie, there is a cruel use of the military to oppress the protesters fighting for their
rights. Though this same military had stood with people it is clear that they do not have passion
for the people when given orders.
In the movie, there is minimal representation of feminism. Though, they match together
with the Youths they are not given that attention. The filmmaker is a lady who is not referred to
by her first name Aida El Kashef (Scott, 2013). Other women like Bothaina Kamel, the first
female candidate for the presidency and the founder of No military trials campaign do not have
any title in the movie. El kashef is a victim of sexual molestation which shows that there is
oppression of the women rights.

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References
Fisher, M. (2014, January 17). ‘The Square’ is a beautiful documentary. But its politics are
dangerous. Retrieved from www.washingtonpost.com:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2014/01/17/the-dangerously-one-
sided-politics-of-oscar-nominated-documentary-the-square/?utm_term=.2df7cb42fe8c
Scott, A. (2013, October 24). Brave Optimism of Tahrir Square Meets Other Fierce Forces.
Retrieved from www.nytimes.com/: https://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/25/movies/the-
square-jehane-noujaims-documentary-on-egypts-unrest.html