Eagles of the Republic

I watched this movie at the Toronto International Film Festival.

I really wanted to like it, as there is a story to be told about the military hold on Egyptian Media through the United Group, the lack of freedom of speech, and how the film industry is being dragged into telling the narrative of the military.

However, the characters in this movie are not well developed, they lack depth. Apart from Dr. Mansour, who is the Presidents right hand and making sure that the production agrees to the president, there were no other strong appearances. The story line leaves with a lot of questions, and it is not clear if Tarik Saleh is intentional about some choices or throwing things at the wall and just seeing what sticks: why is the choice of the main character Coptic? What role does religion play? Why is there a 60s/70s flair at the start of the movie? Why the attempted assassination and the storyline after ?

Further, the casting choice is unclear. The movie is telling a very Egyptian story, however the cast is predominantly non-Egyptian and unable to speak in an Egyptian dialect. In a Q&A session after the movie, Tarik Saleh was asked specifically about this, and unfortunately answered that the majority are Egyptian: a defensive and untrue answer..

Watched at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival.

Tarik Saleh offers an interesting concept exploring of Egypt's corrupted government system and a character situated in the moment of it. Unfortunately despite some really good moments, the movie never really found it's footing properly because of its unbalanced writing and characters that you don't really feel connected towards.

Throughout, Saleh's direction on the tone, atmosphere and setting is good, as it helps establish the setting and where the characters are at. The camerawork and production designs are good, alongside with the performances from the cast as there isn't a single bad performance from anyone.

As mentioned, the writing and concepts is good and there are some good themes and writing elements that Saleh explores. However, the issue is that Saleh doesn't seem to know where to find it's powerful moment and as a whole, the writing feels thin, aimless, and unfilling. Where certain concepts felt underdeveloped and uninteresting. Alongside with the characters as many of the characters felt uninteresting and at times, underdeveloped. Where you don't feel a sense of realism nor an interest engagement that Saleh would have wanted. Undeniablely, the message is clear but it's goal didn't really hit the spot.

Alongside with some decent dialogue and music choices, there are some good sound designs that helps establish the tension and the setting of Egypt. But there are some strange editing choices and pacing issues that are plagued throughout the movie.

Overall, Tarik Saleh has good intentions but the end result becomes forgettable and uninteresting.

This is a must-see film. The film highlights some of problems that many countries in the world have these days. Dictatorships, corruption, hypocrisy, persecution, imprisonment, injustice in society, oppression, non-democratic elections, lack of voting rights. Problems that many countries really have. So important to address, because not everyone is lucky enough to grow up in a democracy. See the film if you can and have the opportunity.

Eagles of the Republic is a gripping and visually stunning historical epic that soars with emotion, action, and powerful storytelling. From the first scene, the film pulls you into a world of loyalty, courage, and sacrifice, blending large-scale battles with deeply human drama.

The cinematography is breathtaking - every shot feels crafted with care, from the sweeping landscapes to the intense close-up moments of conflict. The production design and costumes make the period setting feel authentic and alive.

Performances are top-notch across the board. The cast delivers emotional weight and believable chemistry, giving life to the themes of honor, leadership, and destiny that run throughout the story.

While the pacing slows down a bit in the middle, it quickly regains momentum, building to a powerful and satisfying finale. The score is epic and emotional, enhancing every victory and every heartbreak.

Final Verdict: 9/10. A powerful, beautifully made historical drama filled with passion, purpose, and unforgettable moments - Eagles of the Republic nearly reaches perfection.

Eagles of the Republic is one of those films that grabs you early and just doesn't let go. It blends drama, humor, and real edge-of-your-seat tension in a way that feels effortless, the kind of storytelling you only get when everyone involved is operating at the top of their game.

Tarik Saleh's direction is fantastic, and Fares Fares delivers an unforgettable performance as George Fahme, when you almost literally step into the shoes of this self-absorbed actor who slowly watches his whole world fall apart. The way his character unravels, piece by piece, is both painful and incredibly entertaining to watch.

I've now seen the film three times, and honestly, it keeps getting better. Every viewing peels back another layer, like an onion. You catch new details, new hints, new reactions you didn't notice before. It's cleverly built for repeat viewings, and it rewards you every time. This is a powerful, tightly crafted political thriller that stays with you long after the credits roll, something we really haven't seen since the heyday of political thrillers in the -70:ies like Pakula's All the President's Men and Pollack's Three Days of the Condor (maybe with Gaghan's Syriana in 2005 as the one modern exception).

And beyond being a great cinematic experience, it actually matters. Many of the actors and artists involved put themselves on the line to tell this story. Watching it isn't just entertainment; it's also a small act of solidarity with the creatives from the Arab world who are making real sacrifices to bring these stories to light.

Highly recommended. It stays with you.