The Correspondent

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ (out of 5 stars)

As things continue to boil over in the Middle East during current events, many may have forgotten all that occurred back in 2013 during the Arab Spring. This uprising in Egypt led to a coup d'état of the newly formed democratic government and a multitude of riots. Within the chaos on the streets of Cairo, Al Jazeera Media correspondent Peter Greste (Richard Roxburgh) reported to the world what was happening in the country.

The Correspondent explores the days that followed his initial reports when the seasoned journalist was arrested by the Egyptian government under charges of terrorism. Despite being innocent of the reports laid against him, Peter was at the mercy of authorities with little assistance from his news agency or the Australian government. While everything seemed to be working against him, one advantage was his connection with his national cohorts Baher Mohamed (Rahel Romahn) and Mohamed Fahmy (Julian Maroun), who were incarcerated along with the reporter. As they did all they could within the walls of the Egyptian prison, Peter’s family was doing all they could to get other governments involved with the hope of their eventual release.

Director Kriv Stenders (Red Dog) takes a story with his central protagonist sitting and waiting in a prison cell and makes it compelling enough to keep audiences engaged. The screenplay from Peter Duncan (Rake) overlays previous events from Greste’s past, which allows for action sequences and intrigue that keep the historical events on the boil until the inevitable conclusion. Roxburgh, Romahn and Maroun provide the necessary drama and relational sparks to make this all believable and compelling enough to keep the viewer willing to stay on for the whole story. Stenders and crew manage to keep the claustrophobic tension going throughout the film, deliver a compelling retelling of a political powderkeg that involved multiple nations, and show the importance of keeping the press free to do their work of reporting what is happening in the world.

REEL DIALOGUE: Do I have to be alone?

There were multiple instances when Peter Greste was isolated from people and the world. The disparity that ensued became a mental game of staying sane in the midst of the trials of isolation.

Are we alone on this journey called life? It is easy to feel isolated in a crowd, much less when you are held in solitary confinement in an Egyptian prison cell. Isolation can be a physical reality, but for many, it is truly a state of mind. We can seek out solace in personal relationships or through technology, but these things eventually have limited satisfaction.

This profoundly philosophical query can be answered by saying God is there for us all. Mankind needs to merely turn around and acknowledge His presence. During times of joy or loneliness, God is there for us and provides a relationship. Where do you start? Begin with the first book of the New Testament - Matthew 28:20 - ‘behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age’ and then go back to the beginning of the story and introduce yourself as the person of Jesus. Matthew

You never have to be alone again…

If you would like to discuss the themes of this film, contact us at Third Space. We would love to chat with you about this and more.