Cairo 6,7,8

The timeliness of Mohamed Diab’s Cairo 6,7,8 extends beyond its setting in contemporary Egypt; it reflects a broader Arab desire for personal empowerment and dignity. The intersecting narratives of three women of different social and economic status in Cairo converge in their collective desire to combat sexual harassment.

Diab demonstrates that a wealthy young woman who is molested at a football match is just as vulnerable as the devout Muslim wife of limited means who must ride the bus with marauding men. Given the cultural and religious implications of family life and gender division, these women turn to collective action, the media, and even violence as routes to freedom. In the process, Western clichés are instantly exploded, and the film remains dedicated to representing a nuanced Arab perspective. As in life, results in the film are not neatly packaged, but a way forward is within reach of this new generation. – Film Society of Lincoln Center