Cairo Conspiracy

Released Jan 27, 2023

2 hr. 6 min.

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

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List

85%

47 Reviews

Tomatometer

84%

Fewer than 50 Ratings

Audience Score

Adam, the son of a fisherman, is offered the ultimate privilege to study at the Al-Azhar University in Cairo, the epicenter of power of Sunni Islam. Shortly after his arrival in Cairo, the university's highest ranking religious leader, the Grand Imam, suddenly dies and Adam soon becomes a pawn in a ruthless power struggle between Egypt's religious and political elite.

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Critics Consensus

Although it may not fully unlock the promise of its tension-rich setting and premise, Cairo Conspiracy's strong performances and sophisticated script offer solidly satisfying compensation.

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Film Buff

Excellent film. Mastercraft filmmaking and a top notch cast. Captivated my interest from beginning to end. Run, don't walk to see Cairo Conspiracy.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/28/23

Full Review

StephenPaul C

The greatest 02 hours: and 06 minutes ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/28/23

Full Review

Kevan K

Incredible movie, even though it's set in Egypt in the context of the most esteemed Islamic university in the world, the themes are globally relevant. It gives an experience of the potential corruption of religious groups by government & ulterior interests in order to influence the population. It gives an insight in to the motivations from multiple sides of the struggle for power & holds a mirror up to the human condiiton. There's also themes of ethical choices, family, sacrifice, exploitation, hope & human nature. Great acting, suspenseful & visually intimate. Is religion the illegal arm of the government? Can you structure a centralised institution in a way that it won't be corrupted? What are the aims of the government, the religous organisation & the individual? A bold, daring, thought provoking philosophical film.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/17/23

Full Review

Peter A

Great thriller but for us in suburbia gave a little more insight and understanding of life in one part of the Middle East

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/13/23

Full Review

Steve P

Most of the film, set predominantly in Istanbul's Süleymanye mosque, artfully substitutes for Cairo. Saleh weaves a complex narrative, drawing inspiration from his personal experience with censorship after The Nile Hilton Incident (2017). Cairo Conspiracy offers a profound glimpse into contemporary Egypt, encompassing its vibrant cultural traditions and turbulent political climate. It captivated audiences at its premiere in Cannes in 2022, garnering exceptional acclaim and securing Sweden's official Best International Feature Film submission. Addressing themes of faith, betrayal, and power struggles within Egyptian society through the eyes of an innocent protagonist, this film provides substantial material for those seeking thought-provoking content. Cairo Conspiracy delivers a captivating storyline complemented by outstanding performances, catering to viewers' interests in Egypt's current affairs or broader issues across the Middle East. While not without imperfections, its ability to tackle significant themes renders it a valuable contribution to the realm of cinema.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

05/09/23

Full Review

Brent M

When the elderly Grand Imam of Cairo's prestigious Al-Azhar University passes away suddenly, a scramble ensues over the appointment of his replacement, one that involves the maneuverings of various vested interests from religious fundamentalists to political pragmatists to devoutly spiritual purists. But who will ultimately take over? That depends on the efforts of a young new student who becomes caught up in this power struggle, the pious son of a fisherman who's unwittingly recruited as a state security informant to infiltrate a group of academic ideological extremists. This slowburn thriller (sometimes a little too slow for its own good, especially in the middle) draws on this scenario to examine the diverse dynamics of Egyptian politics and religion, especially the often-tenuous relationship between the two, as played out through the internal (though publicly high-profile) workings of this long-established, well-respected educational institution. Writer-director Tarek Saleh's latest is a finely acted, capably made production (a noteworthy accomplishment given that the controversial filmmaker's work had to be shot outside of Egypt), though it occasionally lacks the gripping tension needed to give the picture's narrative the kind of dramatic heft that an offering like this requires, especially considering the high stakes involved in this story. While this Cannes Film Festival award winner for best screenplay is a work of fiction and said to poignantly reflect the prevailing conditions found in these institutions, the script, pacing and overall tone could have stood to be less subtle and more pointedly compelling. Indeed, "Cairo Conspiracy" is a suitably attention-holding watch with a solid underlying premise, but it would have been better if it had been a little less conventional and wielded a more pronounced edge.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

05/05/23

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Tarik Saleh

Director

Tawfeek Barhom

Adam

Fares Fares

Ibrahim

Mohammad Bakri

General Al Sakran

Makram Khoury

Sheikh Negm

Mehdi Dehbi

Zico

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City of Dreams

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Cairo Conspiracy: Trailer 1

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Whelan Barzey

Time Out

Refreshingly, the Swedish-born director opts against picking from the low-hanging fruit of indicting Islam and hones in on the fallibility of human nature and our weakness for earthly desires instead.

Rated: 3/5

Jul 25, 2023

Full Review

David Stratton

The Australian

You could argue that it’s a little unlikely that the security forces should choose such a naive young man as Adam to do their inside work, but once you accept that notion then the film – actually made in Turkey – is a very effective thriller.

Rated: 4/5

May 8, 2023

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Danny Leigh

Financial Times

The film’s biggest coup is the common thread it finds in both worlds: military back rooms and holy offices alike filled with the ambitious jostling for position.

Rated: 4/5

Apr 13, 2023

Full Review

Farah Cheded

A Good Movie To Watch

Rife with paranoia and subterfuge, Cairo Conspiracy feels utterly unique thanks to [its] skillful transposing of the shadowy machinations of courtly intrigue dramas and '70s paranoid thrillers into a very contemporary Egyptian setting.

Oct 21, 2023

Full Review

Damon Wise

Deadline Hollywood Daily

Saleh’s film works on many more levels than sociopolitical, delivering a sophisticated adult thriller while at the same time exploring the intense psychological dynamic of the relationship between Adam and Ibrahim.

Sep 16, 2023

Full Review

David Griffiths

Subculture Entertainment

A great crime thriller that takes the audience into a world that they will seldom see.

Rated: 3.5/5

Jul 22, 2023

Full Review

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Synopsis

Adam, the son of a fisherman, is offered the ultimate privilege to study at the Al-Azhar University in Cairo, the epicenter of power of Sunni Islam. Shortly after his arrival in Cairo, the university's highest ranking religious leader, the Grand Imam, suddenly dies and Adam soon becomes a pawn in a ruthless power struggle between Egypt's religious and political elite.

Director: Tarik Saleh
Screenwriter: Tarik Saleh, Tarik Saleh
Distributor: Samuel Goldwyn Films
Production Co: SVT, Film i Väst, Atmo Production, BUFO, Final Cut for Real, Memento, Arte France Cinema
Genre: Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: Arabic
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 27, 2023, Limited
Sound Mix: Digital 5.1
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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