? AT THE MOVIES-

What do you call people shooting in warzones? Photojournalists. Civil War (watch trailer, runtime: 2:23), Alex Garland’s extremely divisive film, follows a group of war photographers driving across the United States at the crux of a lengthy and violent war of secession.

The place? America. The year? Unknown. The diagnosis? The fall of an empire. The four principle characters, war weary Lee (Kirsten Dunst), Joel (Wagner Moura), and Sammy (Stephen McKingley Henderson), as well as the young Jessie (Cailee Spaeny) are introduced in the middle of conflict in New York, as police forces and civilians come to blows over the water supply. They then decide to drive to Washington DC in hopes of interviewing the president (Nick Offerman) as the country nears boiling point.

The audience is thrown into this world headfirst, with no idea of why the US is in such disarray, who’s on which side, and more importantly, what in the world happened to force the famously-opposed Texan and Californian states to join forces. These questions, like many others, are left unanswered. Perhaps Garland wants the American audience to fill in the blanks for themselves to confront the cracks in their society. Many have critiqued the film for a lack of substance while others praise it for its strong message. The philosophers among us see that it can be both at the same time.

The principle of the thing: The reason perhaps that this film is so controversial is the same as why war photography as a profession elicits the same response. Is it ethical to remain apolitical in the face of war? Is documenting tragedy commemorative or exploitative? Do we take sides even when we don’t? Does exposure to suffering radicalize us or desensitize us? Two different moviegoers may have very different answers to these questions, which is why Civil War has been at the center of online discourse since its debut.

Call it what you will, but the film is visually stunning. We wouldn’t expect any less of an A24 movie, but in a film where four photojournalists discuss the process (and ethics) of getting “the perfect shot,” there’s no wonder that Garland wanted every frame to be picture perfect.

WHERE TO WATCH- Bear witness at VOX Cinemas at City Center Almaza and Mall of Egypt, Cima Arkan, Zawya Cinema, City Stars cinemas, and Cairo Festival City.

? FROM THE BOOKSTORE-

It's not you who’s overreacting, it's your nervous system. In The Vagus NerveReset, Anna Ferguson guides readers through techniques that will help them gain control over how they feel. Using mindful and self exploratory techniques, Ferguson educates her audience on how to understand physiological stress responses in order to understand and manage extreme emotions.

Oftentimes, something as small as a negative email may be perceived by the body as life threatening. As dramatic as that may seem, that’s your body’s way of telling you that something’s not right. The somatic therapies that Ferguson introduces help approach calm responses to the average minor stressor, which one by one, will make you in tune with your body and your emotions.

This isn’t something you read and then just forget about, these techniques are for life. Thebook ends with a program to help readers keep up with and apply the contents of what they read. From mindful movement to meditation and journaling, this program claims to provide “anchors of safety amongst the chaos.”

WHERE TO BUY IT- You can find The Vagus Nerve Reset at Diwan.

? HOT AND FRESH OUT OF THE KITCHEN-

Reif Kushiyaki delivers a knockout punch of Japanese flavors in New Cairoand North Coast.Reif is the brainchild of Singaporean-born and Dubai-local Reif Othman, whose Dubai branch earned its spot as one of the best fifty restaurants in the Middle East in 2022. The fine dining restaurant takes traditional Japanese dishes and infuses them with chef Reif’s creative spark, resulting in unconventional dishes that still reflect Japan’s rich flavors. But it isn’t a place for reverence, it’s a place to celebrate food and enjoy good company.

But let’s jump into the menu. The grilled kimchi edamame is a great place to start — the smoky kiss of the grill and the spice of the kimchi elevating this classic appetizer. You’ll find your favorite greens in the Green Salad Bowl, which is dressed with a tangy plum vinaigrette and miso-caramelized walnuts. The torched salmon is also a must-try, the seared exterior gives away to the tender melt-in-your-mouth fish, complemented by one of Reif’s signature sauces.

It wouldn’t be an authentic Reif experience without their kushiyaki. You can choose between six types of skewered chicken or beef. The citrus mayo has a bright palate, but the teriyaki is a fan favorite. Those who can handle their spice should order the goma wasabi with wasabi peas. It’s sure to kick your system into high gear.

The main events:The eighteen-hour ramen is a Reif staple. The rich, flavorful broth is the perfect base for the noodles, chicken, and perfectly boiled egg. It’s a soul-warming dish even on a hot summer day. The truffle udon is a luxurious fave — delicious, filling, and criminally creamy. But if you’re going to get one thing, get the mushroom claypot. The fluffy spiced rice is perfectly complemented by the tempura-fried mushrooms, creating the perfect comfort dish.

Wash down this culinary journey with one of Reif’s visionary drinks. Top pick is the Banzahir Sour, a blend of banzahir lime, strawberry, lychee, and orange blossom. It’s the perfect drink to refresh you after a hearty meal.

? Per person: EGP 600-1500

? Outdoor seating: Yes

? Alcohol: Yes

? Accessibility friendly: Yes

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