East of Noon

East of Noon is a vividly imaginative Egyptian fable and a clever political satire, beautifully shot in luminous black and white 16mm. Hala Elkoussy’s second feature is set in a confined, isolated community where the citizens are subject to a bizarre and oppressive dictatorship. Shawky is an eccentric old showman who rules with a mix of performance and fear, while Abdo is a teenage prodigy who uses music to rebel against his elders, and storyteller Jalala provides relief with stories of the Sea. East of Noon is a sumptuous cinematic spectacle.