Tutankhamun: Allies & Enemies (2022)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tutankhamun: Allies & Enemies is a documentary film in two parts which premiered on US television (PBS) in 2022.

 

The timing is significant. This film premiered in 2022 in order to commemorate the 100-year anniversary of the historical moment when Howard Carter discovered the tomb of Tutankhamun in 1922.

 

Here is some basic information about this film:

 

** Director: Hossam Aboul-Magd

** Presented by Yasmin El Shazly and Mahmoud Rashad

** Language: (mostly) English

** Subtitles: English

** Part one = 53 minutes

** Part two = 53 minutes

** Total run time: 106 minutes

 

The main character in this film is Tutankhamun:

** His life was very short: 1341-1323 BC

** His time as pharaoh was very short: 1332-1323 BC

 

Two questions are explored in this film:

** Who supported him (who were his allies)?

** Who opposed him (who were his enemies)?

 

As stated above, there are two episodes:

** The first episode focuses on his life, his family, and the people around him

** The second episode investigates how and why he died so young

 

The film is shot in several locations. With one exception, all locations are in Egypt. Here is a brief overview:

 

# 1. We are in Cairo, more precisely in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo

# 2. We are in Luxor on the eastern bank of the Nile

# 3. We are in the Valley of the Kings on the western bank of the Nile

# 4. We are in Abydos, where there is a large temple for the pharaoh Seti I

# 5. We are in Amarna, which was the capital of Egypt while Akhenaton (the father of Tutankhamun) was pharaoh

# 6. We are in Canada, where two practical tasks are implemented: 

** First, a full-scale 3-D replica of Tutankhamun’s skull is made. 

** Secondly, a reconstruction of Tutankhamun’s face is made.

 

In each location, a guest joins the program. Each guest is invited to present himself or herself. Each guest makes a significant contribution to the topic at hand.

 

The style of this film is unusual.

 

Many documentary films have a very formal style. Whenever an expert is interviewed, we will see this person sitting in an office. We will not see the person who does the interview. Sometimes we will not even hear the question which the expert is asked to answer.

 

This film does not have a formal style. Yasmin El Shazly and Mahmoud Rashad have deliberately chosen a more casual style.

 

We see them walking from place to place and we hear them making small talk. During interviews, we see and hear not only the expert but also the person who is asking questions.

 

The setting is also casual: in fact, one interview takes place in the private home of an expert. Before the interview begins, the expert makes a cup of coffee for the visitor, asking: 

 

“Do you take sugar?”

 

The dialogue appears to be improvised, but in some cases, it is quite obvious that Yasmin and Mahmoud are following a prepared script.

 

But basically, their approach works well. They both show their enthusiasm for the history of ancient Egypt and this gives the film a nice and personal touch.

 

The presentation of the topic is very viewer-friendly. Whenever a new historical character is mentioned, a picture of this person appears on the screen with a brief presentation of who this character is in relation to Tutankhamun.

 

This approach ensures that the viewer is always able to follow and understand the discussion.

 

Many questions are asked in this film. Many answers are offered. In some cases, there is not only one answer. In some cases, there is more than one answer to a particular question. This is as it should be. A historical investigation cannot always reach one definite conclusion.

 

Some questions do not have an answer or at least not a final answer. Different experts offer different answers. 

 

But the topic is explored and ancient evidence is presented, if and when such evidence is available to support the answers which are given.

 

If you are interested in the history of the ancient world – in particular the history of ancient Egypt – this film is definitely something for you.

 

It is highly recommended.

 

REFERENCES

 

Lost Treasures of Egypt

A television series with 30 episodes

Four seasons (2019-2022)

 

Tutankhamun in Colour

(2020)

 

Valley of the Kings: 

The Lost Tombs

(2021)

 

The Relics of Egypt: 

Exploring the Largest Museum in the World

(2021)

 

Tutankhamun: 

The Last Exhibition

(2021)

 

The Champollion Adventure

(2022)

 

Decoding Hieroglyphics

(2022)

 

*****

Tutankhamun

The golden mask

 

*****

Howard Carter 

(1874-1939)

The British egyptologist who 

discovered the tomb of

Tutankhamun in 1922

 

*****