‘Eagles of the Republic’ Review: An Egyptian Movie Star Is Forced to Make a Propaganda Film in Tarik Saleh’s Catchy but Muddled Age of Autocracy Thriller

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The Political Thriller ‘Eagles of the Republic,’ set in Cairo, falls into a unique category: films depicting life under autocracy that seem uniquely compelling now compared to just six months ago. This is because the film’s themes resonate more deeply with current events. While it may seem unusual to call ‘Eagles of the Republic’ an ‘enjoyable’ tale about repression, its main character is a fictional Egyptian movie star, and for much of its runtime, the film offers a vibrant and humorous portrayal of his glamorous, yet flawed lifestyle. The first hour or so showcases the perks and gossipy nature of his world.

George Fahmy, often referred to as the “Cinematic Pharaoh,” is a seasoned actor renowned for his legendary presence. Standing tall, he boasts piercing dark eyes that sparkle and a sharp, hawk-like visage, bearing a resemblance to Liam Neeson with an undercurrent of Harry Dean Stanton’s melancholic demeanor. He holds the title as Egypt’s top-grossing actor, appearing in a diverse range of productions from prestigious dramas to films such as “The First Egyptian in Space.” Known for his assertive debates with Egypt’s Muslim censor board, who are notorious for attempting to tone down any film they review, his personal life is shrouded in scandal, characterized by extravagant privilege. He resides in a luxurious apartment and maintains a romantic relationship with Donya (Lyne Khoudri), a young woman who aspires to be an actress and bears a striking resemblance to a fashion model.

George acquisits whatever he desires, yet there’s an underlying melancholy about him that’s evident. Beneath his baseball cap and sunglasses, he makes secretive visits to the pharmacy to procure Viagra. He is estranged from his wife (Donia Massoud) and has a tender but uneasy relationship with his son, Ramy (Suhaib Nashwan), who studies at the American University in Cairo. On occasions when they socialize and Ramy brings along the girl he’s dating, George must ensure that he doesn’t make advances towards her. Fares Fares delivers a powerful performance, revealing George’s narcissistic tendencies as an actor. Later, while cruising through life on a wave of privilege, he receives a call asking him to act in a film funded by the Egyptian government.

The film will depict the life of Egypt’s current president, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, who seized power in 2014 following a military coup that ousted Mohamed Morsi, Egypt’s first democratically elected leader (whose ascension was fueled by the revolutionary protests of the Arab Spring). Since then, Sisi has ruled as an autocrat, leading a military government. The movie, titled “Eagles of the Republic,” portrays life under this regime. We witness individuals being arrested for expressing opinions considered treasonous on social media, and characters frequently refer to the unseen yet omnipresent power – the regime. Crossing them is not advisable.

Tarik Saleh, who is of Swedish-Egyptian heritage and resides in Sweden, served as both writer and director of “Eagles of the Republic.” This allows him to portray life under Sisi as a critique, given his background. This film marks the conclusion of Saleh’s “Cairo trilogy,” following “The Nile Hilton Incident” (2017) and “Cairo Conspiracy” (2022). For a time, it offers an engaging narrative.

When George discovers he’s been requested for a state-funded propaganda film titled “The Will of the People,” he shows reluctance. He’s not fond of Egypt’s dictatorship, and moreover, he questions how someone of his tall and hairy appearance could portray Sisi, who is short and bald. However, his objections suggest a lack of understanding about the situation. It’s not that the Sisi regime is asking George to star in this movie; they are telling him. As he reluctantly accepts the role, donning his khaki military uniform adorned with medals, we can anticipate a tale that illustrates the clash between celebrity arrogance and the ruthless authority of a dictatorship.

Initially, that’s simply how things stand. There’s a man on the film set named Dr. Mansour, portrayed by Amr Waked who resembles a more subdued Dennis Farina, and he is the authority figure present to ensure everything unfolds in a manner that will receive Sisi’s approval. Initially, he tells George that his performance is poor, not because he has unexpectedly become a drama critic. Rather, George’s portrayal of Sisi’s rise to power is overdone, too theatrical – and this is because George is intentionally avoiding fully embracing the role. It’s his way of rebelling against it.

Later on, George receives an invitation to a formal dinner at the residence of Defense Minister Tamim Heikal. The gathering includes high-ranking government officials who call themselves “eagles of the republic,” implying they are there for surveillance and security purposes, but in reality, they’re safeguarding Sisi’s corrupt administration. George has learned to play the game and knows how to navigate it. However, his caution is shattered when he encounters Suzanne, the minister’s wife who is educated at the Sorbonne and has a Western outlook (played by Zineb Triki). A warning signal flashes in George’s mind. Not long after, he finds himself involved in an affair with Suzanne, a move that appears reckless to us. The film seems to be setting a predictable course.

However, he doesn’t do so. Instead, George is requested to deliver a speech as a sign of his allegiance, which he accepts. This speech takes place under the bright sunlight during a military parade honoring soldiers who perished in the Yom Kippur War (also known as Ramadan War), directly before Sisi. George delivers the speech, but then an unexpected event occurs. A surge of unrest. It appears there was a plan to overthrow Sisi, disguised as a poorly executed military coup, and George finds himself in the midst of it. Somehow, he has been involved…

The key aspect we’re curious about is how the events unfolded after the coup attempt. However, in an unexpected turn, the movie seems to lose coherence and clarity, becoming vague, puzzling, and hard to follow. It’s as if the director, who had previously shown great precision in his filmmaking, missed some crucial scenes during editing. Although we can somewhat understand what happens in the second half of the movie, it doesn’t add up logically or emotionally, which is quite disappointing. The movie initially tackled a critical and contemporary theme: the dangers of appeasing a merciless regime. Unfortunately, “Eagles of the Republic” fails to maintain its narrative focus, leaving both the storyline and the significance of the theme hanging in the balance.

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2025-05-21 02:47