Voy! Voy! Voy!

What would you be willing to do to escape an intolerable, dead-end living situation? How far would you compromise on basic ethics? For Hassan and his Egyptian pals in Voy! Voy! Voy!, any way out is preferable to the rut they’re in. Europe beckons as a realm of utopian opportunity and a privileged path to success is offered by sports. Hassan’s choice is novel: football as played by the visually impaired (the title refers to the Spanish word for ‘I’m here’ used by players to signal their position). Little does he realise, however, how widely shared his bold playing-blind deception may be…

Voy! Voy! Voy! is a rousing, fast-paced comedy based on a true story. Filmmaker Omar Hilal has spent a decade perfecting his visual storytelling craft in commercials. He is greatly aided by Mohamed Farrag in the central role, who completely understands the cinematic irony of performing, in small but telling gestures, for the delectation of we spectators attuned to Hassan’s game.

The film, a box-office hit in Egypt, and the country’s submission for 2024 Oscars consideration, shows the potency of global popular cinema’s tropes. While posing pertinent social and moral questions, it also allows us the frisson of enjoying political incorrectness and outrageous behaviour.

– Adrian Martin

 

Voy! Voy! Voy! also screens at Pathé de Kuip:

Sunday 28 January at 20.30, €13

Tickets Pathé de Kuip