Hiya Fawda: Justice Is Served?

By TAYLEY COTTON

Hiya Fawda is a melodramatic film that openly criticizes the corruption of the Egyptian law enforcement through the story of a preventable rape. Hatem is a pathetic, little man; he uses torture and other fear tactics to coerce people into submitting to him. His cowardice is satirical, and it slightly brightens the film’s dark themes. Unfortunately, this story does not have a happy ending; there is no justice for Nour. This blog post examines the concept of brutality through the satirical character Hatem, and how that demonstrates the corruption within the Egyptian government.

            The progression of Hatem exercising control over others throughout this film is nothing short of brutal. In his drive for power, the audience sees him commit heinous crimes. For instance, when Hatem is extremely angry, he tortures the prisoners just to feel a sense of control over himself. His methods for emotional regulation are inhumane. Later, it is revealed that these prisoners are being unlawfully detained. But the law enforcement officials protect each other, which reinforces the current corrupt system and allows for the continuation of mass police brutality in the streets. Eventually, the civilians realize they are much larger in numbers compared to the police force, which demonstrates the sheer psychological control that the police officials once held over the civilians. This in and of itself is brutal, as the systems that are put in place to protect people, instead, actively harm them.

Hatem’s brutality is also revealed when he abuses his power to kidnap and rape Nour. No one tries to stop him, because they know he will target them if they disobey his orders. Thinking he is not going to face repercussions for his unlawful actions, Hatem feels entitled to Nour’s body. As the next sinister events unfold, the audience is forced to see Nour’s helplessness. This part of the film is utterly gut-wrenching. Hatem’s crimes and the law enforcement’s unwillingness to hold one another accountable ultimately reflect a deep, systemic problem of the corruption of the government. While Nour’s rapist is dead, the same corrupt law enforcement is in power, and the corrupt system has not changed. There is no happy ending for Nour; her trauma is a brutal punishment for a crime she does not commit.

Hiya Fawda successfully demonstrates the corruption within the Egyptian government through Hatem’s brutality. While Hatem’s character is fictional and satirical, this film clearly portrays the government as an unjust power due to the law enforcement’s crimes of unchecked torture and rape and police brutality. Furthermore, Hatem’s character repeatedly demonstrates how the government deliberately endangers its innocent civilians without remorse, revealing that the government does not protect, but rather, it harms its own people. However, there is a sliver of hope for the people living under the Egyptian government. While the system itself may not change overnight immediately following Hatem’s demise, the people realize they are capable of demanding justice, as they are far greater in numbers. This sets the precedent for the people demanding change. It instills hope into and boosts the morale of those who dare to stand for what is just.

Works Cited

Hiya Fawda. Directed by Youssef Chahine, and Khaled Youssef, created by Nasser Abdel

Rahman. Misr International Films, 2007.