Australia and Egypt / 2015 / 98mins / Documentary / Arabic

Amid the tumult of the Arab Spring in Cairo, vendors in a small souk observe the political upheaval while seeking to preserve an ancient tradition of fabric making. The result is a fascinating microcosm of a transitioning nation. In the wake of President Hosni Mubarak’s ouster, street celebrations turn to conflict—shops burn to the ground, propaganda spreads, and the fraternal spirit of the marketplace is shattered. The Tentmakers of Cairo traces this story from the beginning and follows each character as they develop with the times. Filmmaker Kim Beamish captures some of the most remarkable close-up footage of one of the defining political crises of the decade.

Kim Beamish

Kim Beamish is an award winning Australian filmmaker who has recently spent the last three years living in Cairo, Egypt, documenting the effects of Egypt's revolution and ongoing turmoil on a community of ordinary Egyptians. He studied at the Victorian College of the Arts, Film and Television School after having spent many years volunteering with community television station Channel 31 as well as working with Open Channel and Ska Tv in Melbourne, Australia. In 2006 Kim co-produced the film Just Punishment about the fight to save Van Nguyen from execution for drug smuggling in Singapore. Kim is presently researching new projects as well as working as a journalist and running his small production company, Non'D'Script. His 2015 documentary, The Tentmakers of Cairo, won Best Film at the Margaret Mead Film & Video Festival. Learn More