Goodbye Mubarak!

The revolution that toppled Egypt's longtime dictator during the “Arab Spring” demonstrations appears to be suffering major hiccups, with growing antagonism between protestors and the military council that supplanted him threatening more street violence; but you'd never know that from Katia Jarjoura's documentary, which basically celebrates the end of former president Hosni Mubarak's rule without giving much attention to what might follow in its wake. The emphasis here is on the months preceding the demonstrations that led to the leader's forced resignation, during which Jarjoura and her crew traveled about the country, observing candidates of various political stripes (a liberal, a feminist, and members of the Muslim Brotherhood) who were campaigning for election to parliament against entrenched supporters of the regime, many of them wealthy businessmen who profited handsomely from the government's economic policies. But the filmmakers also follow young activists as they make plans and cultivate opposition to Mubarak's draconian rule, and they interview retired workers who complain about inadequate pensions and the lack of opportunities for their grandchildren. Goodbye Mubarak! does offer a compelling portrait of the widespread disaffection with the American-supported regime that prevailed in Egypt prior to January 2011, effectively employing news footage to capture the sense of anticipation that emerged after the dictator's fall. Unfortunately, the emphasis here on common goals turned out to be illusory, as the vast differences among the various opposition forces are now becoming increasingly apparent. Although already overtaken by current events, this snapshot portrait of a contemporary revolution is still a strong optional purchase. Aud: C, P. (F. Swietek)