Cairo Time, a romantic drama directed by Canadian filmmaker Ruba Nadda stars Patricia Clarkson and Alexander Siddiq. Clarkson plays Juliette, an American visiting Cairo, while her husband is sorting out a refugee camp crisis in Gaza. During her stay, she becomes acquainted with her husband's newly retired colleague, Tareq, played by Alexander Siddig. The film's plot is essentially thin. However, the breathtaking shots more than compensate for the lacking story line. Scenes are comprised of long shots of Cairo locations, the blossoming relationship between Juliette and Tareq, and the blossoming relationship between Juliette and Cairo. The film illustrates Juliette's falling in love with the charm of Cairo, and the charms of a courteous and protective Arab man played affectionately by Siddiq, who presents the Arab man with a balanced blend of mysterious charm and endearing confidence. Nadda takes viewers into what some might call a more “authentic” Cairo. Most of her shots take place in and around Tahrir, the Khan el-Khalili bazaar, and the Corniche. Others include the Saladin Citadel and even a train ride from Cairo to Alexandria. In doing so, her film successfully portrays a Cairo not strictly bound to the tourist attractions it is most famous for, namely the Pyramids and the Sphinx, although even the Pyramids come to symbolize something unique for both Juliette and Tareq by the film's end. In fact, the film's most memorable quality is its cinematography and its ability to capture a Cairo whose subtle beauty is often times overlooked or unfelt for that matter, when the noise of cars honking at all hours of the day and the shuffling of the dense population becomes overwhelming. The film occasionally brings forth heftier issues, but leaves viewers concluding that the situations addressed are difficult for outsiders to understand. Examples include Juliette expressing sympathy for girls who are working in a carpet factory in order to support themselves and save money for their prospective marriages. When Juliette inquires about the social dynamics that have placed these girls in their unfortunate circumstances, Tareq becomes defensive and explains that the situation is “complicated.” These brief conversations are rather lightweight and if not for Clarkson and Siddig's palpable chemistry, they would be pointless to watch. Ultimately, the prevalent travails in cities like Cairo should be afforded more than three minutes of screen time. With that said, Cairo Time would have turned into a completely different film. In that respect, Nadda cannot be blamed for devoting surfaced attention to issues like poverty or sexual harassment, when essentially, her film is about the budding enigmatic relationship between her two characters, not a sociological assessment of Cairo's socio-economic tribulations. Unfortunately, it is difficult to watch movies like Cairo Time and not expect a more in-depth analysis of looming issues, especially when many North American films refrain from doing so, and present either a comedic portrayal of the Middle East or one that assesses terrorism and Islamic fundamentalism. Furthermore, is it possible to make a North American film that critiques Middle Eastern culture without resorting to cliched or misconceived representations of traditional norms? Cairo Time surely does not take that responsibility and perhaps it should not have to. It is a shame that Nadda did not employ her film-making opportunity, to present a more nuanced socio-cultural presentation of the diverse web of customs that make cities like Cairo so rich in complexity. Juliette and Tareq's blooming relationship is ultimately what keeps viewers engaged. Their unspoken connection, exhibited through cheeky smiles and long comfortable glances are believable and captivating. Very rarely is on-screen love simultaneously subtle and striking. In many ways, this film resembles Richard Linklater's Before Sunset where Paris is the captivating backdrop for Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy's on-screen romance. Nadda effectively keeps her viewers guessing about how Juliette and Tareq's relationship will unfold. Will barriers be crossed? Will Tareq's respect for Juliett's husband and Juliette's respect of her marriage prevent them from acting on their affection? Those of you anticipating a movie that will explore the complexities of city life in the Middle East or Cairo, for that matter, will be disappointed. However, for anyone who has been to Cairo and would like to be reminded of its mesmerizing sites, this film will definitely satisfy their memory. This move is a romantic drama and does not diverge far from the genre. Its take on love is not unique and its observations of Arab culture is not refreshing. Yet, Clarkson and Siddig's performances are stellar, memorable, engaging and ultimately worth watching, especially for those of you looking for a romance that is not comedic or bleak. BM
