The much-anticipated ‘Eshtebak’ (Arabic for ‘Clash’) by Egyptian filmmaker Mohamed Diab has been warm-heartedly received by critics after it was screened at this year’s Cannes Film Festival under the category of Un Certain Regard. Set in the summer of 2013 in the wake of the popularly-backed ouster of the Muslim Brotherhood government of Mohamed Morsi, the film takes place entirely in the back of a police van with detained demonstrators of different political and religious backgrounds. Diab, who also directed the acclaimed ‘Cairo 678’ which focuses on sexual harassment and was released just one month before the 2011 uprising, portrays a sort of microcosm of modern Egyptian society in his film. In the words of Deborah Young writing for the Hollywood Reporter, ‘Clash’ “will be remembered as one of the most telling depictions of modern Egypt yet filmed…Running the gamut from social comedy to actioner to war movie, Clash is an original, often quite disturbing experience to watch.” Diab’s film is portrayed by Alex Billington of FirstShowing.net as “a seriously outstanding film that goes above and beyond the confines of the paddywagon.” Amidst the chaos of the situation taking place…
