The Definitive Guide to Living in the Capital , Cairo , Egypt

There are
very rare moments, in which the self can find its release, can strip itself of
all its pretences and speak its inner thoughts.

This
happens in Mayye Zayed’s short film Girls’ Talk in the most strange of
places. Set entirely in a girls’ school bathroom, the film shows the distant, yet
very deep friendship that springs unconventionally between two teenage girls.

The
rebellious girls do not adhere to the strict note that states, ‘Writing on the
bathroom door is uncivilised behaviour.’ Instead, the bathroom door becomes their
costumed Facebook wall.

One time, a
girl writes a random thought and returns the next day to find that another girl
has replied to her. She replies back and they continue corresponding for a long
time, without ever discovering each other’s identity.

The way of communication,
weird as it may be, gives room for the girls to express themselves freely. As
they start to develop a sense of attachment, their thoughts become more and
more intimate. They wait for the answer that feels like salvation to them.

Girls’
Talk is such a
beautiful and delicate film. The plotline is smart and realistic, the need to
talk and relate to someone cannot always be fulfilled in regular relationships.
When talking anonymously, embarrassment does not exist; you are saving face and
finding relief.

The scenes,
shots and lighting create a very lively image that instantly captivates the
audience, and the story has a strong sense of familiarity to it. The film’s
details are very abundant, ranging from the girls’ clothes and pencil cases that they
take to the bathroom, to the numerous witty comments scribbled on the door.

Renaud
Pijselman’s music is absolutely captivating and an excellent choice; certainly
one of the most remarkable features of the film. It goes very well with the story,
and keeps resonating in the viewers mind.

Girls’
Talk is produced by
the Jesuit Cultural Centre as part of an independent filmmaking workshop, so
one can assume that it is nearly a no-budget film. Naturally, it has some setbacks
in sound and quality, but the end result remedies all that.