GUNSHOT

Egypt, 2018, 97 minutes, Colour.

Ahamd El-Fishawi, Muhammed Mamdoo, Rubi, Arfa Abdulrasool.

Directed by Karim El- Shinnawi.

Gunshot is a thriller from Egypt.

While it is a thriller, there is a great deal of political comment, especially about government and uprisings, on protests, on the nature of government, government offices, communications and the rigging of communications.

The central character is a Dr, carrying out autopsies. He is alienated from his father who is prominent in government but is under accusation for fraud. His sister insists that he see his father. In the meantime, he carries out his job, giving accurate accounts of the autopsies. But, he is also drinking heavily.

The main complication is the death of a young man, seen as a protester and as a rebel, allegedly shot by a sniper, being hailed around the city as a martyr and Patriot. The Dr, the other hand, sees that the wound was inflicted close-up. He presents this document to his superior – but, under pressure, she issues another autopsy report which states that the man was killed by a sniper. The Dr is put on suspension. In the meantime, there is an eager young reporter who bribes one of the assistance in the coroner’s office to let her in, to see documents.

The doctor then begins his own investigation, tracking down the friend who proclaimed the young man a hero – to whom he owes considerable money. Then there is the brother of the dead man, who now has the gift of a specialist store and is about to marry his brother’s fiance. Then there is the mother of the two sons, the very strong woman.

As the doctor continues its investigation, enlisting the aid of the journalist who believes him, what actually happens is revealed, quite different indeed from the official report, especially the involvement with the victim’s mother (who agrees to a television interview but collapses). While the Dr is vindicated, it is questionable, in his condition, especially with the planted evidence about alcohol in his locker, what his future will be.

An opportunity to see an Egyptian drama, thriller.

1. The title? The shooting, the gun, at close quarters, the location for the shooting, the autopsy reports, the sniper at the protest, the finale and the truth?
2. The theme of the truth, the doctor and his reports, the journalist and her investigations, the head of the Department and the false report, the members of the family and the truth?
3. The Egyptian setting, the city, coroner’s office, newspaper offices, neighbourhoods, homes, street protests? Authentic atmosphere? Musical score?
4. The focus on the death of the young man, the autopsy and the nature of his wound, the doctor and his report, the claims that he was a martyr, a hero of the protest, the supervisor and her sending out the report stating death by sniper, the dead man, the 30 hours from when he was shot, in his home? His friend to whom he owed money, the confrontation with the doctor and declaring the man was a martyr? The role of his brother? The role of the fiancee, her pregnancy and scandal? The brother to marry her? The role of the mother, information, testimony on television? The confrontation by the doctor and journalist? The truth? A different story altogether from protest?
5. The doctor, his career, drinking, the reputation of his father, his father and the court case, his sister and her insistence, eventually visiting the father, talking with him, his father’s death? His report, the denials, the protesters against it, his superior and the alternate report, the journalist’s investigations, photographing the alcohol in his locker? His being suspended? His decision to find out the truth, confronting the dead man’s friend? The brother, following him, his shop, buying the battery for the phone, the threats, at the cemetery? The discussions with the journalist, their meetings, belief? Meeting with the fiancee? The discussions with the mother? Eventually everybody coming together? The truth? His signing the false autopsy report? His resignation?
6. The portrait of the family, the elderly mother, strength of character, her dead son, the cover up, misinformation, that the television station, the collapse? Telling the truth?
7. Khaled, his brother, the financial situation, his being granted an apartment, his work in the store, the confrontations with the doctor, at the store, at the cemetery, marrying the fiancee, gatecrashing the wedding and the truth? The flashback and recreation of the confrontation?
8. The journalist, her bosses, searching for information, paying the man at the coroner’s office? The articles, the investigations, discussions with the doctor, sharing his perspective?
9. The Egyptian background and flavour, the background of protests, yet this story one of domestic conflict?