Emberatoriet meem (1972)

Emberatoriet meem (1972). 1h 53m

“The Arabic film scene canu0026#39;t get enough Faten Hamama, Egyptu0026#39;s iconic living legend. She broke every law of performance with her u0026#39;naturelu0026#39; and innocent face which brought her closer to everyoneu0026#39;s home. Her acting transcended the stereotypical image of women as objects of desire, or stay-at-home mothers. With her characters, women had a voice, an opinion and a crucial role in the progress of culture. Her 1975 film u0026#39;Oridu Hallanu0026#39; (I Need a Solution) criticized the Khul divorce laws, which forbid a wife to initiate separation. Following the filmu0026#39;s influence, the law changed. Yes, film can change the world.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eu0026#39;Empire Mu0026#39;, widely considered one of Egyptu0026#39;s 100 most beautiful films, marked a new phase in Faten Hamamau0026#39;s career. In the 1972 picture, she moved away from playing the powerless female, to the role of a woman who enjoys the same responsibilities of a man.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eShe plays Mona, an upper class widower with six children whose names all begin with the letter M. She works at the education ministry, her social status is well regarded by her peers and rumors abound that she may be elected as a minister.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eBetween her home responsibilities and the ministryu0026#39;s demands, she finds little time for herself or her relationship with Ahmad (Ahmad Mazhar). For years, heu0026#39;s been doing everything in his power to marry her, hinting that she needs a male presence to go through lifeu0026#39;s hardships. As much as she enjoys his love, she resists.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eShe wants to focus on her childrenu0026#39;s education but her micro-management seems to exasperate the family. Her elder son, law student Mostafa (Seif Abu Al Naga), revolts. Using his siblingsu0026#39; complaints, they attempt to break free from their mother, whom they depend on financially. Now they have to democratically elect a new leader to be in charge. Mona takes the matter lightly, thinking itu0026#39;s another pastime for her children, but soon realizes theyu0026#39;re serious.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe film opens with a young Mona convincing her parents of her right to choose the man sheu0026#39;ll marry. It closes with a similar sentiment; her children ultimately want to demonstrate their democratic right.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe film hints on the ideal way Egyptian society should and could be. The family represents the country and highlights the crucial leaderu0026#39;s (or motheru0026#39;s in this case) role of a multi-tasked educator. Without her, the family will fall apart and sheu0026#39;s the only one to assess her childrenu0026#39;s capabilities and needs. At the same time, her leadership can expand outside the houseu0026#39;s borders.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eBased on Ihsan Abdel Quddousu0026#39; book and adapted for the screen by Nobel Prize winner Naguib Mahfouz, u0026#39;Empire Mu0026#39; demonstrates Hamamau0026#39;s pro-democratic views. As a supporter of the 1952 revolution, she had refused to honor Egyptu0026#39;s screens because of her opposition to the domineering Free Officers regime.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eUndeniably, Empire M is a must-see classic!u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eFind all of our film and festival coverage as well as our education and events at www.DohaFilmInstitute.com. Follow us on Twitter @DohaFilm.”