Winner of the ‘Best Screenplay’ Award at the 75th Cannes Film Festival, Tarek Saleh‘s CAIRO CONSPIRACY takes us into the mythical and conflicted world of the Al-Azhar University in Cairo.
Fisherman’s son Adam (Tawfeek Barhom) is given the chance to study at the seemingly prestigious Sunni Islamic institution, but as he arrives the Grand Imam – a Papal-like figure and the top person – dies after suffering a relapse whilst giving a speech. Clearly naive in the ways of the new culture he has infiltrated, both the political and religious stakes are pretty high.
Recruited by Ibrahim (Fares Fares) , a member of the Egyptian State Security, Adam becomes the eyes and ears of the police force and soon discovers that both sides are in true conflict in a game that could build to something a good deal more sinister and revealing than any coursework could bring his way…
Absolutely riveting piece of cinema that deserved its’ Cannes Festival award which holds the attention throughout. Multi-layered and impressive in tone, the film had to be filmed in Turkey as a substitute due to film-maker Saleh having to leave the country at the insistence of the Egyptian Security Services due to the controversy surrounding his film THE NILE HILTON INCIDENT. Saleh has had polarising opinions locally about that film and is awaiting the reaction to CAIRO CONSPIRACY subsequently, knowing that he would be arrested if he returned to his home country.
As much a coming-of-age odyssey of somebody who thinks he is going to make a difference in the world as it is deep and meaningful in other ways, Adam’s journey certainly hits home in the more intimate moments with his new circle of friends and communal perceptions that are heightened by those in higher places.
Barhom and Fares make a solid pair and give the story its’ emotional essence that will provide a thought-provoking analysis on the relationship between power and light.
CAIRO CONSPIRACY plays exclusively in Cinemas from Picturehouse Cinemas on 14th April.
For more on the film please go to:
https://www.cairoconspiracy.film/
