Omar Hilal's "Voy! Voy! Voy!" is a cheerful, intense, and alluring piece of art with a subtle, yet powerful, critique of societal norms. The movie, which is Egypt's chosen entry for the Best International Feature Film at the Oscars, highlights an intriguing true story. The narrative centers on Hassan, a security guard harboring dreams of leaving Egypt's chaos to settle overseas. His unique escape plan kicks into gear when he learns about a blind football team preparing for the World Cup. In a daring move, Hassan fakes being blind to join the squad, with the ultimate aim of leaving his familiar land behind.
Telegramming the plot's nuances in an engaging and thoughtful manner is Omar Hilal's crowning achievement. It is no mean feat to enthrall audiences with a less-than-admirable protagonist who lacks deserving qualities of compassion. Awarding the standing ovation to the exceptional performance by Mohamed Farag is an understatement – his acting as unconventional as his breathtaking footwork. Bayoumi Fouad and Nelly Karim, as Captain Adel and investigative reporter Engy respectively, bring authenticity and depth to their roles. But the nuanced performance of Hanan Youssef as Hassan's mother is the one stealing hearts and winning praises. She mesmerizes every time she appears on the screen.
A generous dose of comedy and drama, "Voy! Voy! Voy!" is a genre-defying cinema that incorporates elements of a crime caper, paying tribute to classic con movies like "The Sting" and "Catch Me If You Can". What sets it apart is its unpredictability and engaging narrative that toys with the audience's expectations, presenting a narrative curveball out of the blue.
A memorable scene sees Hassan and his friends meet shady migrant smugglers. Through a clever combination of dialogue, quick cutting, and humor-infused escapade plans, the film masterfully transforms typically challenging scenes into a light-hearted spectacle.
Recent years have witnessed a significant impact on Egyptian cinema due to the proliferation of action-centric propaganda films. However, a refreshing wave of innovative filmmakers like Hilal has revitalized the landscape of Egyptian cinema, often bagging prestigious awards for their works at international film festivals.
"Voy! Voy! Voy!" predominantly adheres to mainstream commercial cinema norms, but it veers away in a subtle, yet vital manner-it probes deeply into ethical dilemmas that characters grapple with. By presenting complex portrayals that prompt the audience to question their beliefs, the film successfully navigates the ambiguous territories of illegal immigration.
Although some humor may potentially lose its essence due to cultural and linguistic differences, the film's universal appeal transcends these barriers. Its humanistic approach to disparate aspects of existence, including love, friendship, and life's absurdities, keeps viewers tethered to their seats for a good two hours.
Conclusively, although one could argue that Captain Adel's character undergoes hasty and less-explored transformations, one should note the filmmaking team’s challenge to accommodate a multitude of plotlines within a limited runtime.
