Review of Microphone (2010) by Todd G — 12 Mar 2011

While the film is heavily influenced by recent American Indie endevours (a fact that disheartens me, since I want Egyptian film to have its own voice), the film does touch upon the important subject of budding and wasted talent in the Egyptian musical underground.

The subject is important because in a country where economic, social, political, and relgious concerns are on people's minds everyday, the cultural aspect is often overlooked. The art arising from the real musicians who appear in Microphone is nothing short of true and masterful.

The streets of Alexandria were teaming with hip hop, metal, rock, and jazz, and soul bands screaming with the rhythmical and harmonious voices of disgruntled youth; Youth that would shape the soon coming Jan25 revolution.

Ulitmately, Microphone is a melancholy film that leaves you frustrated and upset that these voices find no audience beyond their friends. As my mother pointed out however, they did succeed because they later played in large shows in solidarity with the Christians that died in the recent Alexandria Church bombing.

They also had music videos created, and I believe that in real life, they are emerging from the underground. I'm not much of a hope guy, but it's nice for me to see things turn around for people once in a while, especially when they're artists as talented as we see in Microphone.

Well played.