In Cairo, young female skaters, drifters and motorbike riders defy the standards of Egypt’s society

Capturing the sprawling landscape of Cairo through a subset of its youth, director JP Micallef connects with a group of young female skateboarders, drifters and motorbike riders in the Egyptian capital for short film Ask the Girls in Cairo. Finding freedom coasting through the city, yet confronted by the strict gender standards of a traditional, religious society, the film lenses these young women outside the risks that link their experiences - each coming against derogatory remarks and abuse on the city’s streets, and pressure and punishment from family for pursuing their passions.
Meeting Cairo-based Moroccan skateboarder Zineb Koutten via her photography, Micallef reached out to friends and other girls connected by the Cairo scene, gathering an entirely Egyptian cast and crew to work across the project - and music by Egyptian artist Felukah. Shooting on location over two days and witnessing first hand the abuse the girls receive, Ask the Girls in Cairo celebrates the optimism and strength of the young women refusing to bow to expectations, on a visual ride through the city they have made their playground. ...read more at nowness.com
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