The Why Democracy? film, Egypt: We are Watching You, is receiving positive reviews from a number of viewers. This excellent documentary investigates incidents of fraud and corruption in Egypt's first multiparty elections. Told through the experiences of three female political activists, this film highlights the fragile nature of Egypt's young democracy.

A review from the International Museum of Women (IMOW) caught our attention for its insightful understanding of the film's story. The IMOW were also able to interview one of the directors, Sherief Elkatsha. The interview, which can be found below, is a great contribution to our effort to follow-up with filmmakers from the Why Democracy? series.

The other half of the directing duo that made Egypt, Jehane Noujaim, has also been contributing to other global film projects. Her film for the Pangea Day film event is available to view here.

IMOW interview with Sherief Elkatsha.

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

I am a documentary filmmaker. I started off by working in television and film, but soon after I gravitated toward making documentaries.

I make documentaries because I like people. I love to get involved with my subjects and dive into their worlds—worlds I often have no business being in. The camera gives you an excuse to see life through someone else’s eyes. It’s as close to being a fly on the wall as you can ever get.

Whether it’s in the streets of Cairo, or helping document the 2004 Kerry campaign, learning about a new subject on the ground, from an insider’s point of view, is such an enriching experience.

Your film was commissioned by the Why Democracy? project. What does democracy mean to you?

“Why Democracy?” is a group project that brings together broadcasters, filmmakers, and nonprofit organizations in order to examine the idea of democracy: Wars have been fought over this word, but what does it really mean? Why should societies strive toward democracy?

From our personal experiences, working on this film for two years has made us reassess some of the personal liberties and rights we often take for granted in Western democracies. For example, I had never given much thought to independent judiciary, but following the struggles of Egyptian judges made me understand its supreme importance.

Why did you make a documentary film on democracy in Egypt using Shayfeen.com as a case study?

Shayfeen.com translated means “We are Watching You.” When it was created, I think it was meant to be Orwellian. These professional women and men decided they had to do something, and since the political climate was that of being watched they thought, Why not turn the tables and do the watching?

Their story interested us because they believe that change will only come about if the people know what is happening in their country. Their mission statement was not grandiose and vague-sounding like “instilling change,” but they wanted to work on a grassroots level to unveil corruption, forgery of votes, judges struggling for independence. They simply wanted to say: “We see this and we think it is wrong.”

They have always said that once awareness has been raised, if the people still wanted change, that change would be someone else’s job, not theirs.

Did the fact that Shayfeen.com was headed by three women influence your decision to profile them?

Of course, the fact that Shayfeen.com was run by three professional women, with no experience in political activism, was very interesting.

Jehane and I grew up in Cairo together, and we always knew we wanted to make a film about the political scene in Egypt. When we were introduced to Engi, Ghada, and Bosayna, we knew this was our film.

In today’s media culture, it is important to show three strong, independent women from the Middle East, who defy stereotypes. Jehane and I grew up with outspoken, powerful women, and Egypt: We Are Watching You was our chance to put three such women on the screen.

We were drawn by their characters, and the way they complemented one another even though the work they were doing in support of democratic initiatives was taking them in different directions. They were tireless in their efforts, and we found this very inspiring.

How come Engi, Ghada, and Bosayna were not afraid to do what they did? Were you afraid?

They were very committed to their cause. I can’t speak for them, but I know that participating in the future of their country was more important than any fear.

As filmmakers, our job was to observe and document a page in their history. So any pressure or fear that we felt was dispelled when we saw how they didn’t seem to be scared. How could we be scared if they weren’t? Strength can be contagious.

Where did you screen your film? Have Egyptians had a chance to see it?

The film was aired on Al Arabeya network and the BBC in Cairo. We also had a screening of the film in the Press Syndicate in downtown Cairo. The beauty of a film is that it can continue to have a life even after time has moved on, so we hope to continue finding audiences eager to see it around the world.