Cairo 678: Fighting sexual harassment

Egypt has a fairly good film culture. The country, though Muslim, is not as orthodox and fundamentalist as certain other theocratic countries. In the last few years, the film fraternity in Egypt has been releasing quality films.

Cairo 678 is one such Egyptian film in Arabic language that came in 2010. Supposedly based on real life incidents, it revolves around a feminine theme: self defence against sexual harassment. How should a woman react when she becomes the victim of derision, eve-teasing and groping in public places? Why should a woman be exploited and ridiculed in such fashion just because she is a woman? And how is a woman supposed to respond when the entire society is governed by principles and norms prescribed by men to suit their own agenda? The solution that the women in this film find is self defence of a unique kind: they pork needles to the vital parts of those who grope them in the crowded buses.

Director: Mohammed Diab

Film Clip

The plot has several twists and turns, giving the film quite a surprising narrative of three women from three different walks of life. One of them is a stage comedian, who has to face a near death situation of eve teasing and road rage of a hooligan. The three-some come together to devise their own methods to fight sexual harassment. While you sympathise with these women who resort to unusual means to protect themselves, you also wonder if such means are effective in the long run. Further, you may also be confronted with the question as to should not society bow its head in shame for driving women to such helplessness.

Director Mohammed Diab has, no doubt, raked up a healthy debate through a powerful film. It is not preachy, neither is it mellowed in conveying the one important message: a male-dominated society cannot think it can play around with the assumed weakness of women. The fact that this message comes from a film directed by a male director adds to the seriousness of the subject. 

- Melwyn Pinto SJ