These Girls begins with the startling image of a teenage girl navigating the hectic traffic of an urban thoroughfare – atop a galloping horse. From this memorable intro to Tata, one of the film’s bombastic characters, we are thrust into the shocking world of Cairo’s street girls, a world where glue-sniffing is a common release, prostitution a necessity for survival, and sexual violence a perpetual threat.
Despite the perils the girls are forced to face, they display a camaraderie, sense of humour, and courage that are inspiring. Left to fend for themselves, often abandoned by family, harassed by police and ignored by the authorities, the girls have carved a niche out of nothing, living by their wits in a life and death game of survival. Skilled director Tahani Rached enters their world and records it with great sensitivity and no leading commentary, allowing the actions of these remarkable girls tell the story.
Program notes by George Kaltsounakis
