Free Trip to Egypt

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Free Trip to Egypt
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Free Trip to Egypt is a documentary about Canadian Egyptian Muslim entrepreneur Tarek Mounib's labor of love to take a group of Americans to his family's homeland in order to foster cross-cultural appreciation. The film is based on the idea that Islamophobic Americans would have a change of heart if they could see firsthand that they have more in common with Egyptians than they might think. After some failed attempts to publicize his endeavor, Mounib is able to find a group of seven Americans to join him on the all-expenses-paid trip. There's infrequent strong language ("f--k" and variations thereof) and a few mentions of negatively violent stereotypes about Egypt: torture, beheadings, abduction, etc. One woman becomes distraught while discussing her ex-husband's abuse of her son. Families who watch will have plenty to discuss about the nature of racial/ethnic/religious stereotypes, the importance of understanding other cultures, and the power of human connection.
Community Reviews
Excellent movie about stereotypes and understanding other cultures
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What's the Story?
FREE TRIP TO EGYPT is a documentary with a simple premise: During the 2016 election cycle, Tarek Mounib, a Candian Egyptian entrepreneur living in Switzerland, sees how Islamophobic America has become and decides to fund an all-expenses-paid trip to a handful of willing Americans -- if only he can find any who are willing to take him up on his offer. Earnest and mild-mannered, Mounib -- once an outspoken activist -- travels across the States attempting to find people who are ready for some cross-cultural enlightenment, on him. A few stunts fail to yield results, but after some in-person connections and a video plea, he rounds up older Jewish couple Ellen and Terry; three friends who are Evangelical Christians from Louisville, Kentucky (actress Jenna, Marine Brian, and Jason, who sees the trip as a missionary opportunity); Katie, a single mom and former Marine from Arizona; and Mark, a police officer from Kentucky. The trip pairs each American with an Egyptian host or family; together, the group goes sightseeing and gets to know one another.
Is It Any Good?
This film represents a feel-good small step in helping combat the Islamophobia and prejudice that many Americans unfortunately feel toward Muslims and foreigners. It's just too bad that Mounib (whose ability to fund this well-meaning project is never discussed) couldn't convince other Muslim financiers and executives to join him in providing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Americans who think that all Muslims and Arabs are fundamentally opposed to the Western world. Of course, it's an even bigger shame that this documentary was even necessary -- and while it tries to stay apolitical, it's clear that President Trump's election rallies were a primary reason that Mounib felt compelled to start the project.
One downside to Free Trip to Egypt is that the group of Americans isn't more diverse: It's really three friends, a married couple, and two individuals. The story would have been even more powerful if, instead of the group of three Louisville pals, there had been three more strangers from different parts of the country. But Ellen and Terry, the older married couple, are particularly fascinating; they acknowledge that they've become xenophobes but don't want to stay that way, partially because their adult child lives in the Middle East. Jason, who never fails to evangelize in any given situation, and Jenna manage to connect with their religious Muslim host family. Brian, meanwhile, stays with a secular/activist young Egyptian woman who has an intelligent, international group of friends. By the end, everyone has predictably changed, believing in the humanity and the beauty of the people and nation of Egypt.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the lessons the Americans learn in Free Trip to Egypt. Why does Tarek believe it's important to introduce Americans to Egyptians? Does his experiment work?
How do the people in the film demonstrate empathy? Why is that an important character strength?
How are stereotypes addressed in the documentary? How are they dispelled?
What can we do individually to combat prejudice and discrimination?
Movie Details
- In theaters: May 31, 2019
- On DVD or streaming: December 17, 2019
- Director: Ingrid Serban
- Studio: Kindness Films
- Genre: Documentary
- Topics: Friendship, History
- Character Strengths: Empathy
- Run time: 98 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: February 27, 2022
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