On screen
Urban Legends II: Final Cut
Ever since Wes Craven unabashedly celebrated the indisputable raison-d'être of the slasher horror genre -- as a never-ending imitation of an imitation -- his post-modern Scream has spawned a slew of films that are now coming into their second generation. Urban Legends II: Final Cut is one such sequel, centred on the fictitious Alpine University -- "the greatest film school that ever existed." Travis Stark (Matthew Davis), is disappointed after he receives an unimpressive C- on his "thesis film" and has either committed suicide, been murdered or been reincarnated as his brother Trevor. Meanwhile, schoolmate Amy Mayfield (Jennifer Morrison) is making a movie dramatising the murders of the first Urban Legends. This movie-within-a-movie drags on until the mystery is solved in a Scooby Doo conclusion. Quite a disappointing debut from writers Paul Harris Boardman, Scott Derrickson and director John Ottman.
On stage
Kullina Ayzin Sura
Purposefully scripted by Lenin El-Ramli and intelligently directed by Mohsen Helmi, Kullina Ayzin Sura is an intense introspective look at our own dark side and the face we choose to show others. Inhabitants of a downtrodden slum area are enraged when they discover that an amateur Egyptian photographer has taken a picture of two drug addicts. The photographer is accused of belonging to a foreign media agency and denounced as a spy. Touching on very current questions of loyalty, the claim is that by taking the photo, the man wishes to disparage Egypt's image abroad. A simple set and careful stage direction add to the play's provocative tone. Judging from its popular and critical acclaim, this is a true triumph for contemporary theatre.
Around the galleries
Until 14 December, the Safarkhan Gallery in Zamalek will be offering the opportunity to see small sculptures by Armen Agop, as well as paintings and drawings by the late artist Kamal Khalifa. The combination has been tried and tested and proves a veritable assault on the senses. Agop's organic, conceptual shapes complement Khalifa's thick, flowing brushstrokes, making Safarkhan well worth a visit this Ramadan.
Reviewed by Nagwa El-Ashri
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