Rent The Nile Hilton Incident (2017)

A captivating descent into the corruption at heart of Egyptian society - The Nile Hilton Incident review by Philip in Paradiso

Weeks before the 2011 Egyptian revolution, Noredin, an officer in Cairo's corrupt police force, investigates the murder of a famous club singer at the Nile Hilton Hotel. What initially seems to be a crime of passion turns into something far murkier that involves a wealthy businessman-cum-politician, who seems to enjoy impunity. Noredin refuses to stop his investigation, thus putting his life in danger.

This is a very good film in that it depicts very well the ramifications of corruption within the Egyptian police force and politics, but, in fact, throughout Egyptian society. Noredin himself is a corrupt operator who, for once, wants to 'do the right thing'.

Although the film lacks pace or focus at times, overall, it is captivating, more particularly if you know the Middle East and North Africa, as it re-creates the atmosphere prevailing in large cities, in Arab countries, very well.

A real story about a real incident - The Nile Hilton Incident review by RCO

Cairo, 2011, cusp of a revolution, routinely corrupt system including police, a girl gets murdered in the Nile Hilton, a Somali maid (illegal immigrant) sees the killer leaving, the detective assigned proceeds to disentangle things uncovering a deeper plot...

Very well made, subtitled, based on a true story. The detective is very well acted and the character is complex with flaws and virtues and believable, the backdrop doesn't intrude. Like any 'noir-ish' film the plot sometimes seems tangled and you can loose track of who is working for who but in the end truth will out and out hero gains wisdom if not success.

Extreme corruption breeds chaos. - The Nile Hilton Incident review by TE

A decent enough tale of extreme corruption in the Egyptian police and security forces.

Set against the background of the 2011 Egyptian Revolution it becomes easy to see why that movement failed to achieve any of its progressive aims. With so much corruption within the state itself a whole new political party would have been necessary. Instead the Muslim Brotherhood took over from Mubarak and proceeded to go too far with their own agenda before being kicked out in favour of the present ruler el-Sisi, who seems reminiscent of the Mubarak regime.

Dramatically the film could do with more explanation as to why the hero cop decides to play straight for a change. It's presumably linked to the early scene with his father, but there is no development of that aspect.

In its favour, the film has a real flavour of Cairo and gives an insight into events that exceeds the usual sources.