Making an Egyptian historical movie is always considered a risk for filmmakers who usually put their efforts and money into commercial movies that make quick gains. But, Kira & Gin is a game changer.
The movie is not only intense and enjoyable but also has all the aspects that makes it one of the best movies of the modern Egyptian cinema. It has the right amount of everything from action to romance to smart dialogue that keeps you watching till the last minute.
The events of the movie are set during the outbreak of the 1919 revolution – a revolution against the British occupation in Egypt.
It tackles the breaking point of the Egyptian street against the occupation, through the story of the two characters of Ahmed Abdel Hai Kira (Karim Abdel Aziz) and Abdel Qader el-Gin (Ahmed Ezz).
Kira is a doctor who is regarded by his colleagues as loyal to the British occupation – while in fact, he is a struggler who fights secretly against the occupation and conceals his real identity even from his wife.
However, el-Gin is a playful person who sells alcohol and drugs to British officers.
He is very far from being a patriot, but the turning point in his character happens during the 1919 revolution when his father (Ahmed Kamal) – once an Egyptian officer – was killed by a high profile British officer.
El-Gin decides to avenge his father and heads to the British officer’s house.
At the same time, Kira and his fellows were also heading there to attack the officer.
Kira accidentally met with el-Gin and they both knew that they shared the same destiny.
El-Gin then began a struggle against British occupation and joined Kira.
Based on the novel “1919” by writer Ahmed Murad and directed by Marwan Hamed, the movie presents high quality action, fighting scenes and professional effects. Although it’s duration is almost three hours, it has a fast rhythm.
Although it is considered a historical movie, at the opening scene, it was written on the screen that it is not a documentary but a drama.
That is because it introduced real characters and some real facts but with lots of fictional motives and events to give sweeter taste and sentiments.
In addition to the two major characters played by Ahmed Ezz and Karim Abdel-Aziz, actors Hend Sabry, Sayed Ragab, Ahmed Malik, Lara Iskandar, Hoda al-Mufti, and Sam Hazeldine, even actors in small roles have excelled in their parts.
Despite few goofs in the plot and some unclear motives especially in the character of el-Helbawy (Sayed Ragab) who suddenly changed from a struggler to a traitor, the movie remains the best in this season and one of the best Egyptian movies that is worth watching.
