Writer-director Mohamed Diab’s 678 (2010, Egypt) follows three Cairo women from different social strata who negotiate sexual harassment in public places at the risk of falling foul of the law and losing out on the sympathy of their loved ones. A police investigation connects the three strands together that creates the necessary dramatic tension in this incisive depiction of patriarchy in contemporary Egypt. Debutant Mohamed Diab scores heavily with his crisp story-telling – the scenes move like swift darts; and of course, the actors do a commendable job with their well-written characters.
Streaming on Netflix.
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