A long time ago I was in the middle east with my husband, Ken. He went from Tel Aviv to Cairo for further study. I went from Tel Aviv to home to take care of the kids.
Since then I've wanted to see Cairo.
Dave and I just experienced the next best thing. We saw the new movie "Cairo Time." It stars the queen of indie films, Patricia Clarkson. A title she deserves. She's smart (a graduate of both Fordham and Yale,) and 50 years old. She doesn't talk much when she does she whispers. She mostly communicates with body language and facial expressions. I guess we'd call that acting.
But the real star of the movie is Cairo. 18 million people strong, the city is full of horrendous poverty - and traffic, as well as the beauty that can be found only in ancient cities.
There's a bit of a love story - but it's relatively pure. Patrica's character, Juliette, falls for her guide, a former employee of her husband's who's there to assist her when her husband is detained at the Gaza Strip. The only real betrayal is seeing the pyramids with this guy.
However, when he touches her back as he guides her through traffic, we know!
But I think the love story is just a device to tell us more about Cairo.
For instance, when she visits him at his coffee shop he tells her it's a men's coffee shop.
"Where do the women get their coffee?"
"Not here."
We're constantly reminded that these people are from two very different cultures, as well as different parts of the world.
If you want to enjoy the exquisite beauty of Cairo without the fear of being out on the streets, the unrelenting heat and humidity and having to cover your head in public - see this movie instead.
But I'd still like to go to Cairo.
***
Since then I've wanted to see Cairo.
Dave and I just experienced the next best thing. We saw the new movie "Cairo Time." It stars the queen of indie films, Patricia Clarkson. A title she deserves. She's smart (a graduate of both Fordham and Yale,) and 50 years old. She doesn't talk much when she does she whispers. She mostly communicates with body language and facial expressions. I guess we'd call that acting.
But the real star of the movie is Cairo. 18 million people strong, the city is full of horrendous poverty - and traffic, as well as the beauty that can be found only in ancient cities.
There's a bit of a love story - but it's relatively pure. Patrica's character, Juliette, falls for her guide, a former employee of her husband's who's there to assist her when her husband is detained at the Gaza Strip. The only real betrayal is seeing the pyramids with this guy.
However, when he touches her back as he guides her through traffic, we know!
But I think the love story is just a device to tell us more about Cairo.
For instance, when she visits him at his coffee shop he tells her it's a men's coffee shop.
"Where do the women get their coffee?"
"Not here."
We're constantly reminded that these people are from two very different cultures, as well as different parts of the world.
If you want to enjoy the exquisite beauty of Cairo without the fear of being out on the streets, the unrelenting heat and humidity and having to cover your head in public - see this movie instead.
But I'd still like to go to Cairo.
***
