“Clash”: Identity Conflict and Division in Post-Revolutionary Egypt

"Clash" is an Egyptian film produced in 2016, directed by Mohamed Diab. The film is considered one of the most prominent cinematic works that dealt with the political and social events in Egypt during the period following the 25 January, 2011 revolution. The film deals with a pivotal moment in Egypt's history through a story that embodies the conflict and division within Egyptian society after the overthrow of President Mohamed Morsi in 2013.
The film takes place over a single day, specifically during the 2013 protests that followed the dismissal of President Mohamed Morsi. The film is shot entirely inside an Egyptian police truck that gradually fills with a diverse group of protesters, including supporters of the ousted president, opponents of him, and individuals who do not belong to any political party.
The characters trapped inside the truck come from diverse social and political backgrounds, reflecting the sharp divisions in Egyptian society at the time. These people are put in a bitter situation, forced to get along with each other in difficult and stressful conditions while conflict and violence rage outside the truck.

The film reflects the state of chaos and division that prevailed at that time, by focusing on the complexity of the situation in Egypt after the revolution, and how society was in a state of constant conflict between different parties in light of the sharp political and societal division, which made them wonder about their place in this conflict, but it also focuses on the human aspects, as it highlights how different people can overcome their differences in critical situations.
Despite the film's critical success, it sparked some controversy in Egypt due to its political subject matter and its treatment of a period in Egyptian history that still raises many sensitivities and divisions.