The Stories

They say war and politics shape the nation. But it also shapes the future of people across generations. Their lives, ambitions, relationships,desires and sacrifices, how all these are affected by the stupid and corrupt politics are immeasurable. This film is a tender yet painful look at how one such family counterbalances everything , and survives through loss , grief, sacrifices and family dynamics while the nation is drowned in nationalism, and politics played with the lives of people who had nothing to do with the war. This might be a personal story of one family, but it holds the universal symbol, every country which is in turmoil of war, fascism and dictatorship, you will see numerous such similar stories which echoes through your heart and fetches in your memories forever. I love how we get emotionally attached to all the members of the family just like that, , thanks to an ever welcome humour, we too immediately feel part of that little imperfect world where, despite the daily squabbles, hardships, everyone is always very close to one another. The news of war and jingoism is ever lurking in the background on television and the radio, foreshadows something bad. Then at the same time the film shows, how the football match of local club Zamalek provides an escape for men from bleak future, but there is no such escape from the reality for women, all she can do is write down her own thoughts and emotions in her book, which she can't share with anyone. Somehow that book becomes testament of lives in history, which will never see the day of light. Starting from the late 1960s and continuing through to the late 1980s. The film showcases the story of family, Particularly noteworthy in this regard is the fact that the director has managed to stage an effective personal story and emotional bonds., but the film never feels overdramatic or jaring, the screenplay make sure the events flow smoothly with characters evolving as the nation evolves alongside with them. I love the humour of the film, it comes so naturally, never feels it intended to be funny. It’s something that mixes tragedy and comedy together very well. Whenever something good happens to the family, something bad also happens. The comedy comes from people being naturally themselves, in everything that they do. It's the humour that you see around you everyday. It’s not a humor that requires people to laugh out loud, but it’s more about people and how they behave, how they act in different situations and personalities. It's a story that is relevant and important throughout the ages, it's a story that is witness to history, a living example of the present and the future with uncertainty. These stories, emotions, struggles all will be the same in these timelines, but only faces will be different. It's the wheel of power, oppression and sacrifices that keeps on turning.