American Pharaoh - Friday 6 June
Friday 6 June 8:50pm
World Premiere
Location: Hackney Picture House, 270 Mare Street, London, E8 1HE
Running time: 55 minutes
Director: Hossam Aboul-Magd
When US soccer coach Bob Bradley took up his new post as Egypt manager in October 2011, he was entering something much bigger than a coaching role. With the country in the midst of social and political upheaval following the events of January 2011 in Tahrir Square, the team and its success became a marker that could potentially unite a divided Egypt.
Even against that tumultuous backdrop, however, nothing could have prepared Bradley for the Port Said Stadium riot in early 2012 when violent clashes between rival fans left at least 79 dead and hundreds injured. Lingering elements of the deposed Mubarak regime were blamed for instigating the massacre as an act of revenge.
With the Egyptian FA in disarray and national tensions once again at boiling point, Bradley was left to navigate not just a critical World Cup qualifying campaign, but a period of intense political volatility for the new Egypt.
Q&A
Followed by a Q&A with award-winning director Hossam Aboul-Magd; Emmy nominated producer, writer and director Sandy Petrykowski; and our North Africa Campaigner Nicholas Piachaud. Chaired by Tim Rogerson from Picturehouse.
See the other films and events that are part of our Sidelines film festival.