The Nile Hilton Incident Takes us to a Cairo that I know but haven’t seen, through a noir, mostly nocturnal journey led by a morally complex policeman. The film is not only refreshing as a concept, but also as a portrayal of an Arab character who isn’t reduced to being either the ultimate victim or the ultimate villain. He is multi-layered, navigating a corrupt and morally tangled world. The cinema of Tarik Saleh strikes a rare balance, intelligent in its approach, but never pretentious; political, but never patronizing. It proves that Arab cinema doesn’t need emotional blackmail or moral posturing to say something powerful. It just needs to take us on a truly cinematic journey. — MUHANNAD LAMIN