Ana Ana

The title means "I am me" in Arabic, and the film invites four young Egyptian women to share their personal experiences. In the aftermath of the 2011 revolution, they reflect on their inner worlds, often filming themselves. Their situation, phase of life and offbeat worldviews mean they are constantly seeking to define themselves. A journalist explains that the uprisings made her lose faith in journalism. The power of the mendacious media was too much for her, so she is now directing theater plays, "to reveal truth in other ways." In contrast, another of the women believes that the revolution has made anything possible. But all four of them find it difficult to be themselves in Egyptian society. One woman's dream of becoming a ballerina is snuffed out because professional dancing is simply unacceptable. And any female who is still unmarried at 24 will be unique among her friends – a social inferior, in fact. A filmmaker who often has to work late travels only by car, because after midnight, any girl on the streets is considered potential sexual prey. "Sometimes I feel Egypt is eating me, devouring my personality," sighs one woman. "I wish I lived in another country."