Now available on VOD (video on demand) and other streaming services, is the drama, Luxor.
The film stars Andrea Riseborough(Birdman, Oblivion),Karim Saleh(“Transparent,” “Counterpart”) and is Written/Directed byZeina Durra(The Imperialists Are Still Alive!).
Hana (Risenborough) is a British aid worker (doctor). She takes leave and heads to Luxor, Egypt. Luxor is a place that she is very familiar with. She was there decades earlier.
There is something about the city that has drawn her in. She is fascinated by the culture, both past and present. She spends a lot of time visiting ancient Egyptian sites.
It’s worth noting that Hana wears oversized shirts and pants. She could be a very pretty woman, but she opt’s not to wear make-up or do her hair. She always has a fresh (make-up free) face and her hair pulled back in a ponytail. I don’t know if her character is suppose to dress like that or not. I’m not sure if it’s part of the story.
Hana is in a lot of pain (perhaps that is why she dresses the way she does). She’s seen way too much in her job, and she needs to get away from it all, and think about other things. Her current life’s situation is weighing heavily on her.
Hana meets up with her ex-boyfriend, Sultan, purely by accident. The spark is still there for him, but not so much for Hana. Hana is trying to figure out her life. She doesn’t have the mental capacity right now to fall in love with her ex-boyfriend again.
Sultan ends up being a huge support system for Hana. He senses she needs him, and he does his best to show her that he’s always there for her. It does appear that the more time she spends with him, the better she feels.
There was one line in the film that stood out to me. Hana asked Sultan if he ever worries about opening up anything that has been put to rest (referring to his archeological digs). I wonder if that was her way of getting him to “see” what was weighing heavily on her mind. Maybe she meant her relationship with him, and how it was “put to rest” and in the past?
It would seem Hana is in Luxor to find herself again. She’s been living in the past and she’s in a dark place. She feels broken and in a lot of pain. Will she ever find the happiness that she’s seeking? Will she find romance with Sultan again? To find out, you need to rent or purchase Luxor. Look for it where ever movies are sold/rented.
To be honest, I didn’t pay too much attention to the storyline. I did find it a bit slow, and uninteresting. It’s the cinematography that sold me on this film.
Luxor is all about the city of Luxor and it’s surroundings. From ancient archaeological sites (and there are plenty that are visited in this film), to the luxury hotel that Hana stays at.
The scenery and cinematography in this film really “stole the show.”
Visiting Egypt is on my “Bucket List.” I want to lay my hands on the Great Pyramids in Giza, Egypt. I think this is why I paid more attention to the background and the places Hana visits, than the story it’s self.
I read other reviews for Luxor. I know that critics rave about this film. I feel like I need to watch this film again, but next time focus more on the story than the scenery.
I’m not saying that I didn’t like the film. I just don’t think I connected well enough to the plot of the film. My mind wandered to the scenery and how I would love to be at those places myself.
Below is the film’s trailer for your enjoyment. See for yourself how magical the cinematography and scenery is.
Kimberly
*I received a free screener to review. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own and not influenced in any way.
