1/2 Revolution is a 2011 documentary film about the 2011 Egyptian revolution.

Production

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The documentary was filmed by Egyptian-Danish filmmaker Omar Shargawi and Egyptian-Swedish filmmaker Karim El-Hakim. Shargawi had arrived in Cairo on January 24, 2011, the day before the revolution began. He and El-Hakim shot footage of the revolution using handheld cameras and mobile phones.[1] The film was edited from over 100 hours of footage filmed on the streets of Cairo and in El-Hakim's home. The name "1/2 Revolution" references the fact that the filmmakers were both half-Arab, only filmed half of the revolution, and that they felt the revolution was only partially successful.[2]

Reception

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The film received positive reviews from critics at the time of its release.[3] Eric Kohn of IndieWire gave it an "A" grade.[4] Justin Lowe, writing for the Hollywood Reporter, praised its editing, cinéma vérité style and immediacy.[1] Alissa Simon praised the documentary's production quality and compared it to an "indie action thriller.[2]

References

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  1. 1 2 Lowe, Justin (2012-01-20). "1/2 Revolution: Sundance Film Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2026-01-27.
  2. 1 2 Simon, Alissa (2011-12-20). "1/2 Revolution". Variety. Retrieved 2026-01-27.
  3. Staff, T. H. R. (2012-01-24). "1/2 Revolution". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2026-01-27.
  4. Kohn, Eric (2012-01-27). "SUNDANCE REVIEW | "1/2 Revolution" Puts a Dramatic Personal Spin on Tahrir Square". IndieWire. Retrieved 2026-01-27.