“Mahragan” - by Omar El Shamy - 23 mins long - The film will be screened for a second time on Friday 26 April at 13:00 at the Usine à Gaz in a collection of 18 short films at Usine à Gaz at the Visions du Réel film festival. Review by Trish Thalman who say this is a "splendid film,a noisy and exciting visit to the musical 'street' of Cairo"
Mahragan is the name of a popular Rap music group in Cairo. The three young, energetic musicians have taken the traditional Chabbi format of music and up-dated it to reflect the modern beat and musical freedom they now have since the revolution occurred two years ago.
Rap music is ‘what’s happening’ as we are introduced to the boisterous opening scenes of a massive, street concert in Cairo. It’s all about sparklers, flashing lights, a line-up of massive, full-blast speakers, vuvezuelas, dance circles of young males (only males!) wearing jeans, ‘hoodies’ and wonderfully garish t-shirts, who are able to hip-hop and yell along with the music from Mahragan. The fans know all the words to the songs, which are words of opposition from ‘the people’ to the authorities. This was not possible 2 years ago.
Mahragan have a long list of bookings, in spite of the confusion with their booking agent who has put June dates before May dates in their diary. One of their musical gigs is a stylish wedding reception at The Swiss Club in Cairo, where Mahragan provide Chabbi-type music, a tradition at Egyptian weddings, but with their lively ‘rapped-up’ beat, and without the fiery political words. The lead singer and songwriter proudly confirms that Mahragan is from a working-class area of Cairo, and that the working-class people are the ones who have important stories to tell. His people are not yet free. The group refer to older and contemporary poets and songs for their on-going, political and musical education. Mahragan truly believes, writes about and raps to the tune that the Egyptian Revolution carries on, and that they will eventually be free. This is a splendid film by a talented, young filmmaker that takes us on a fun, noisy and exciting visit to the musical 'street' of Cairo, with warmth, humour and energy.