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Poster for The Square

The Square

The people demand the downfall of the regime

2013 · 1h 28m · Not Rated Documentary, Drama, History
Directed by Jehane Noujaim

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Overview

The Square looks at the hard realities faced day-to-day by people working to build Egypt’s new democracy. Cairo’s Tahrir Square is the heart and soul of the film, which follows several young activists. Armed with values, determination, music, humor, an abundance of social media, and sheer obstinacy, they know that the thorny path to democracy only began with Hosni Mubarak’s fall. The life-and-death struggle between the people and the power of the state is still playing out.

Director and cast

Critics on Rotten Tomatoes

Top critics, in their words

All reviews
100%
Tomatometer
Fresh

Noujaim's film attests to how quickly joyous weeping in the streets gave way to sectarian arguments over the army's role and fissures in promising alliances.

Lisa Kennedy, Denver Post
Fresh

If the resulting film is unwieldy - five editors, five "additional editors," and six assistant editors are credited - it also brims with angry urgency.

Simon Houpt, Globe and Mail
Fresh

The camera becomes a revolutionary: running, chasing, breathlessly jittery, up in the face of interrogators.

Moira MacDonald, Seattle Times
Fresh

Epitomizes nonfiction film not just as a way to deepen knowledge and understanding, but also as an art form.

Ann Hornaday, Washington Post
Fresh

What does a revolution feel like from the inside? I'm not sure we'll ever get closer than "The Square," an electrifying, at times heartbreaking documentary from the Egypt-born, Harvard-educated documentarian Jehane Noujaim.

Ty Burr, Boston Globe

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