Is intermittent fasting a golden ticket for better health?

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THE WEEK IN REVIEW

Unemployment numbers are down + Gov’t in talks to potentially sell down stake in Eastern Company

Good morning, friends, and happy FRIDAY to all of you, whether you’re in Sahel or in Cairo. We wish you a fun weekend before the start of the academic school year, or to those of you who started, a calm and restful one before the chaos of the school week.

Sahel season may be coming to an end, but that’s no reason to ditch your health goals just yet — and intermittent fasting could be the right fit for you to keep your health in check as we begin the slide into the post-summer / almost-fall season. Our Enterprise Guide this week breaks down what intermittent fasting is, exactly, as well as the pitfalls to watch out for that make this lifestyle incompatible with some of us.

Enterprise Weekend comes out each Friday at 9:00am CLT. We’ll be back on Sunday at 6am with EnterpriseAM. Until then: Enjoy the weekend.

LAST WEEK IN 3 MINS- The news cycle last week was largely shaped by privatization news, along with a smattering of macro and investment updates.

ECONOMY-

#1- S&P Global anticipates tighter macroeconomic conditions in Egypt in the months to come: The ratings agency expects inflation to peak at close to 39% in October and the value of the EGP to fall to 37.00 against the USD by the end of the year if the government moves forward with another currency devaluation.

#2- Unemployment inched down to 7.0% in 2Q 2023, down 0.1 percentage points from 1Q 2023. Unemployment was down 0.2 percentage points compared with the same period last year.

PRIVATIZATION WATCH-

#1- Eastern Company confirmed reports of a potential stake sale: The government could sell up to 15.3% of state-owned tobacco manufacturer Eastern Company after receiving offers from several foreign investors. The firm has not yet singled out a preferred offer nor has the company disclosed the interested parties. The confirmation came after reports earlier in the week that Philip Morris’ United Tobacco entered talks with the government to acquire a minority stake in the company.

WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR- Japan Tobacco International (JTI) and an Emirati state institution are potentially among the players in talks with the government to snap up the stake. We also know that the government is looking to maintain at least a blocking minority once a sale has been finalized.

#2- BdC could IPO this year: The government is planning to offer a 49% stake in state-owned lender Banque du Caire (BdC) in a long-awaited IPO on the EGX in 4Q 2023. The state has been planning to sell a stake in BdC since 2016 but has delayed the IPO multiple times due to unfavorable market conditions.

#3- No due diligence on United Bank just yet: Investors interested in acquiring stakes in United Bank will begin due diligence by the end of September, contrary to a press report earlier this week that claimed three banks had already begun the process. A number of international financial institutions are currently interested in acquiring shares in the lender, but no further information was provided.

AT THE NEXUS BETWEEN PRIVATIZATION + INVESTMENT- The redevelopment of the former NDP HQ is moving forward: Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly last week transferred the land of the dissolved National Democratic Party’s headquarters to two developers who, according to the chairman of the Sovereign Fund of Egypt’s tourism sub-fund, will embark on a USD 5 bn project backed by Gulf capital.

AND ON THE INVESTMENT FRONT-

GV Investments gets GAFI green light on EGP 500 bn industrial project: The General Authority for Investment and Freezones (GAFI) approved GV Investments ’ ambitious Tarboul industrial project in Giza. The 26k-feddan city, which will require EGP 500 bn (USD 16.2 bn) is expected to include industrial zones, a dry port and other logistical facilities, financial and business centers, and residential areas, according to its website.

ENERGY-

Household electricity prices are staying put for another 4.5 months: The cabinet approved a decision to leave household electricity prices frozen until 1 January, 2024. The decision is aimed at easing financial pressures on the public amid rising inflation.

We could soon be importing more Israeli gas: Israel will increase gas exports to Egypt from its offshore Tamar field, Israeli Energy Minister Israel Katz said. Israel will raise gas exports by an additional 38.7 bn cubic meters (bcm) over 11 years, according to the ministry, which translates to 3.5 bcm per year if you average it out. This could later be increased to 44 bcm. Egypt imported 4.62 bcm of gas from Israel last year.

WE ALSO HAD A FEW M&A TIDBITS-

#1- Rameda Pharma is zeroing in on two potential acquisitions in the medical sector, the company said earlier this week. The targets are a pharma company and a cosmeceuticals player, with Rameda looking at stakes of over 50% in each firm.

#2- Dragon Oil wants in on Egypt’s Nargis gas block: Emirates National Oil Company (ENOC) subsidiary Dragon Oil wants to purchase a stake of at least 20% in the Nargis offshore concession in the Eastern Mediterranean from Chevron.

AND SOME DEBT NEWS-

#1- We have another USD 125 mn EBRD loan for Damietta Port on the horizon: The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is expected to approve a USD 125 mn loan on 4 October to finance the “superstructure and purchase of equipment” for Damietta Port’s second container terminal.

#2- The Egyptian German Industrial Corporation ( EGIC) could be getting a USD 50 mn credit facility from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to finance its operations.

BANKING-

#1- Hassan Abdalla was reappointed as the governor of the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) for another one-year term starting 18 August.

#2- Looser regs on sukuk issuances: Companies will now be able to sell sukuk without first acquiring a credit rating after the Financial Regulatory Authority (FRA) waived the requirement.

MEANWHILE IN THE NATIONAL DIALOGUE-

The National Dialogue signed off on its first set of recommendations for political, economic, and social reforms, three months after it kicked off discussions. The recommendations, which were last week presented to President Abdel Fattah El Sisi for consideration, include:

Bringing back the Economy Ministry to supervise national economic policy.
Making it easier for businesses to access credit.
Introducing commodity futures trading.
Increasing the number of MPs and senators in the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Passing legislation to reform electoral rules for local councils.

WHAT’S HAPPENING NEXT WEEK-

Flat6Labs’ 12-week construction tech accelerator program begins on Monday, 28 August. The program, dubbed Makers, is designed to provide support to construction technology startups in Egypt in partnership with SIAC and Dar Al-Handasah. Selected start-ups from the program will receive up to USD 100k per venture in addition to mentorship, business training, and access to networking events.

Submissions for the second phase of the Smart Green Projects initiative will be due on Friday, 1 September . The second iteration of the government-led initiative is accepting applications for projects working on addressing issues like energy, emissions reduction, sustainable agriculture and green buildings. Shortlisted projects will get the chance to present their vision during COP28. The top three contenders in six categories are also awarded prizes between EGP 250k and EGP 750k.

ACROSS THE POND- We’ll be keeping our eyes on Jackson Hole, where an annual meeting of central bank officials continues today and tomorrow. Investors typically look to the meeting in Wyoming for indications of where interest rates are heading in the coming months.

Check out our full calendar on the web for a comprehensive listing of upcoming news events, national holidays and news triggers.

YOUR MOST CLICKED LINKS-

Jawaid Ahmed Mirza’s appointment as a non-executive member on CIB’s board got plenty of readers checking out his LinkedIn. (Linkedin)
The government’s potential move to sell down its stake in Eastern Company was a close second, as many of you look to keep track of privatization updates. (Regulatory filing — pdf)
Valu’s rebranding announcement, complete with a new look and a new focus for the business, got a lot of love. (Press release)
Lots of you were also interested in the National Dialogue’s recommendations and wanted to dive deeper. (Youm7)
The cabinet giving FinMin the green light to begin talks with the IFC over a local currency bond issuance pulled readers in. (Cabinet statement)

AROUND THE WORLD IN SEVEN DAYS-

The Brics annual summit has been getting more attention — and there’s a compelling local angle: The expansion of Brics membership has been a key point of interest in the international press as the leaders of the bloc, along with guest countries, discuss trade, investment, and geopolitics in Johannesburg. Brics Chairman and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced yesterday that Egypt, along with Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Ethiopia, Argentina, and Iran, will join Brics in 2024. Discussions over the bloc’s global influence have also highlighted divisions among some members — namely South Africa and China — over Brics’ future.

Wagner mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin’s presumed death in a plane crash also made some buzz in the international press. His private jet hit the ground late Wednesday as it flew near the village of Kuzhenkino in the Tver region north of Moscow on its way to the capital from St Petersburg. Although authorities have yet to determine the identities of the 10 bodies recovered from the wreckage, President Vladimir Putin sent his condolences to Prigozhin’s family late last night.

Wildfires in Greece, which claimed the lives of 18 people earlier this week, have also been getting coverage: Some 18 bodies that were found in the charred northern Evros region of Greece are suspected to have been migrants looking to enter Europe through a known crossing point near the Turkish border. Near Athens, fires continue to burn uncontrollably despite firefighters’ efforts to contain them.

☀️ THE WEATHER THIS WEEKEND- Brace yourselves for a scorcher. It will be a hotter weekend with the mercury peaking at 41°C in the daytime today and dropping to 24°C in the evening. Tomorrow will be a notch hotter, with the temperature reaching 42°C by midday and cooling to 25°C at night, according to our favorite weather app.

HAPPENING THIS WEEKEND-

The Citadel Festival for Music and Singing kicks off today and will end Thursday, 7 September. The festival will be held at the Salah El Din Citadel with several acts lined up:

Swedish-Syrian singer Faya Younan and Medhat Saleh will be performing at the opening concert today.
Cairo Symphonic Orchestra and Wust El Balad band will be performing tomorrow.
Hany Shaker will perform on Sunday, 27 August.
Hisham Abbas and Simone will perform on Monday, 28 August.
Mostafa Haggag will perform on Tuesday, 29 August.
Ali El Haggar will be performing on Thursday, 31 August.
Musician Hisham Kharma and the Tunsian singer Ghalia Benali will be performing on Sunday, 3 September.

Russ is coming to New Alamein. American pop star Russ will be performing as part of the New Alamein Festival today. Tickets are available on Tazkarti.

Get some more laughs over the weekend with The Elite Standup today at Paragon Beach Hub, New Alamein. The show will start at 7pm. Tickets are available on Tazkarti.

Cairokee at the New Alamein Festival : Catch Cairokee in the few weekends left in Sahel as they perform tomorrow in New Alamein as a part of the Alamein Music Festival. Tickets are available on Tazkarti.

HAPPENING NEXT WEEKEND-

El Morabba3 is coming to Egypt. The Jordanian rockband El Morabba3 will be performing in two concerts, the first one will be at the closing ceremony of the International Summer Festival that will be held at Bibliotheca Alexandrina on Friday, 1 September. The second one will be at El Sawy Culturewheel on Sunday, 3 September. Tickets are available here for Bibliotheca Alexandrina and here for El Sawy CultureWheel.

Understand the ins and outs of intermittent fasting

The Enterprise Guide to intermittent fasting: Over the past decade, intermittent fasting has cropped up in the world of health and nutrition as a dietary approach touted for its wellness benefits, including being a solution for weight loss and several health ailments. Although it can seem daunting for the uninitiated, the premise behind it is simple: Intermittent fasting is when you refrain from eating for a specific number of hours and then resume eating again.

There are a handful of formulas and time structures you can follow in intermittent fasting, which we break down for you — and explain the pros and cons of each protocol, based on advice from doctors and nutritionists we spoke with. We’ll also lay out the costs (yes, there are costs) of this lifestyle choice that promises so many benefits.

DISCLAIMER- We have to stress that our guide, while guided by medical professionals’ input, is not at all a replacement for individualized medical advice. In fact, we’ll explain how intermittent fasting is not for everyone and should be applied only after consulting with a doctor or licensed professional.

LINGO FOR YOUR STREET CRED- Some of the most popular approaches, or protocols, as per the fasting lingo, are as follows:

16:8: Fast for 16 hours and eat for eight.
18:6: Fast for 18 and eat for six.
20:4, aka The Warrior Diet: Fast for 20 hours and eat within a four-hour window.
Rolling 36s, 72s: Fast for 36 hours or 72 hours, feast for a meal, and then fast for 36 or 72 hours again.
ADF: Alternate day fasting — fast for one day, eat normal meals during the following day, and repeat.
OMAD: One meal a day — fast for 24 hours, eat one meal, and then repeat your fast.
EF: Extended fasts that go beyond 72 hours and can be extended for months.

HOW DOES IT WORK? When a body fasts, it begins ingesting the sugar in your blood, known as glycogen, for energy. When glycogen is depleted, the body then moves on to stored fat. A body that is on a longer fast takes it a step further — it starts its healing process in the form of autophagy and the secretion of the human growth hormone (HGH).

WHAT YOU CAN EAT WHILE FASTING- Well, nothing — it is fasting, after all. But that doesn’t mean you can’t drink…

WHAT YOU CAN DRINK- Water, bone broth, pickle juice, coffee (black, unsweetened), sparkling water (unflavored), black tea (unsweetened), all herbal teas, salt, and fasting salts (a combination of magnesium, potassium, sodium and phosphorus) can be consumed. These beverages ensure that your body’s supply of electrolytes remains steady, so that you can avoid cramps caused by dehydration.

HOW TO BREAK A FAST- Making healthy choices when breaking a fast is strongly recommended, nutritionist and health and wellness advisor Nancy Samir tells Enterprise. If you decide to break a fast with an overwhelming meal like a burger or pizza, your body will fight back using its favorite weapons in its arsenal: Stomach cramps and diarrhea.

WHAT YOU EAT MATTERS- Beginning with a smoothie, a boiled egg, or some soup consumed slowly is a more ideal choice and as your stomach eases back into the swing of digesting food. It’s also important to watch the type of food and portions that you consume when you break your fast, she stresses. Having a heavy meal after a fast won’t only affect you physically — it will also affect the calorie-burning implemented earlier during the day.

LET’S BREAK DOWN THE PROS AND CONS, STARTING WITH THE PROS-

#1- Food control: It’s a great way to control food intake, especially for someone who is used to munching all day long, explains Samir. Intermittent fasting creates a chance for hard stop and starts for eating. It also gives a chance to make better food choices, by listening to your body’s cravings, which should begin to move away from processed food to healthier choices, says general internal doctor Sameh Farid. Any chance for the digestive system to rest helps the body to direct all its energy for healing, he adds.

#2- Autophagy: This is the process wherein cells break down and get rid of old, damaged, or abnormal proteins, Farid explains. Extended fasts even claim to curb inflammation, slow down MS symptoms, and can eventually flush out cells that can cause illnesses and cancers. It is important to remember that autophagy begins when you hit the 25-hour fasting mark.

#3- Releasing the human growth hormone (HGH): This natural anti-ageing hormone is usually abundant in children up until their teenage years, which explains their growth spurts. In adults, it is trapped in the pituitary gland, and is only released for a few minutes at a time. Research has indicated that when in a fasted state, the presence of the growth hormone can double and even triple in adults. The result? The HGH builds new muscles, repairs ligaments, and joints. But this effect isn’t immediate, it has to be done gradually, states Farid.

CONS-

#1- It’s not for everyone: People who already consume one meal or two meals a day will not benefit from intermittent fasting as their body has already adapted to this pattern of eating, Samir tells us. Those who fall under this category will have to consider their food choices during that window to ensure that their fast makes an impact.

#2- 16:8 protocol works like regular dieting: Dr Layne Norton, a certified nutritional physician and researcher on protein metabolism and fat loss, uses research to illustrate that a diet that focuses on calorie restriction and where the food consumption is between 10 hours a day the weight loss and health markers are the same. Individuals who exercise during their eating window will not lose any lean muscle mass, which is another disadvantage for extended fasts, according to Norton.

#3- Lean muscle mass loss: If you’re working towards building muscle without burning fat, then you can try IF but not EF. On the other hand, Jason Fung cites older civilizations that suffered from food scarcity until modern farming and food storage facilities were available, but were never described as weak or emaciated. In fact, they were strong, active, and able to hunt and farm for food.

#4- Hormonal imbalances: Some individuals with certain hormonal imbalances have benefited greatly from intermittent fasting, Farid says; however, it will take longer than usual to get into the routine of fasting. Checking with a physician is imperative in this case to make sure that any medication or medical condition would not exacerbate with a fast, suggests Samir.

#5- It takes time: It takes approximately six weeks for the body to respond, says Farid. The body needs time to realize that a new routine is taking place, and will initially try to hold on to the fat and sugar that it had previously accumulated, before adjusting to a regular routine. It’s difficult for the human body to rapidly reverse the effects of a lifestyle of eating three or more meals a day.

Even though Farid suggests that it is suitable for every age, he stresses that it cannot be picked up immediately — you need to fast gradually, so that your body doesn’t resist the fast, causing severe fatigue, headaches, and impacting your blood pressure.

#6- It ain’t cheap: Intermittent fasting doesn’t come without its costs. Specific sustenance items like fasting salts and bone broth emulsions, are needed to help you with longer fasts to ensure that you avoid a loss of electrolytes which can lead to cramps. These can often be expensive and not readily available locally.

WANT TO DIVE DEEPER? There are an abundance of resources on fasting, however, the one that is most comprehensive as a starting point is The Obesity Code: Unlocking the Secrets of Weight Loss (Why Intermittent Fasting is the Key to Controlling Your Weight) by Dr Jason Fung. You can also get insightful information from Layne Norton’s videos on Youtube to learn more about how to use intermittent fasting to support your food regimen.

Wesh fe wesh: A comedy of errors with a powerhouse ensemble cast

📽 AT THE MOVIES-

Wesh fe Wesh is what happens when the in-laws get involved in a marital squabble . When an argument over moving houses between Sherif (Mohamed Mamdouh) and Dalia (Amina Khalil) is overheard by Dalia’s haughty mother, she gets involved — with her husband and son— to accuse Sherif of potentially abusing her daughter. Seeing this happen, Sherif summons his misfit friends, along with his parents, for a standoff that makes a mountain out of a molehill. Whether the two protagonists are going to resolve their differences or not becomes a side issue, as the ensuing comedy places the focus on the next misstep that will derail things further.

The script is sharp, witty, and the slapstick humor on point,which — although Egyptian films can fall short in these areas — doesn’t come as a surprise as director Walid El Helafawi is both script writer as he is behind the camera. The ensemble cast’s chemistry also works well for the delivery of the script, considering the majority of them worked together previously — although this is a double-edged sword considering the premise and actor combinations can come off as repetitive. Amina Khalil and Mohamed Mamdouh starring in another film together revolving around a couple looking for a divorce is reminiscent of Karim El Shenawy’s Khali Baalak min Zizi(2021) and The Seven Year Itch(2023), which may feel repetitive and off-putting for some.

Honorable mentions: Guest stars Khaled El Sawy and Lotfi Labib had the audience in stitches: They played the role of each sides’ lawyer, defending their respective clients completely off of Facetime from different iPads. Meanwhile, comedian Mahmoud Ellithy and up and coming actress Dina Sami offer even more comedic relief as the domestic help that observes this family of “decent people” deteriorate to wild beasts. The film also hit a relatable but funny note by having the in-laws using El Face as the ultimate battle ground of the wits, a weapon regularly employed by their generation to voice their woes and frustrations.

Many relationships are in focus — both friendships and marriages: We see this through the marriage of Dalia’s parents, Nana (Anoushka) Mohab (Samy Maghawri), an upper class family who had an early arranged marriage and now are just barely getting by financially, despite their appearance of wealth. On the other hand, Aziz (Bayoumi Foad) and Zeinab (Salwa Mohamed Ali), who seem to be upper middle class and cannot accept their son being blamed for something they are certain he has not done. The smaller groups, like Sherif’s friends, Wael (Mohamed Shahin), Magdy (Khaled Kamal) and his brother-in-law, Selim (Ahmed Khaled Saleh) offer comic relief as they try to let off some steam from this difficult situation by playing a game of Fifa on the Playstation together, despite being on the opposite sides of the argument. Finally, Dalia and Salma’s (Asmaa Galal) friendship that nearly reaches breaking point but comes together towards the film’s conclusion.

WHERE TO WATCH- You can catch the film in VOX theaters in City Centre Almaza and Mall of Egypt.

📚 FROM THE BOOKSTORE-

Meg Mason’s Sorrow and Bliss follows the story of Martha, whose disintegrated marriage leads her to think back on their eight years together with an interesting mix of humor and darkness. But beyond the witticisms and humor, Martha is acutely aware something is wrong with her — maybe not forever, but at least since the age of seventeen — a fact that her husband, Patrick, has been denying, or at the very least overlooking throughout the decades they have known each other. But Martha’s not wrong.

Although the name of her condition is not mentioned, we learn that the narrator suffers from a debilitating mental illness, with a range of symptoms described, from not being able to get out of bed for weeks at a time to being denied children because of the side effects her medication would have on her pregnancy. But despite the limiting boundaries of her condition, Martha’s personality is able to shine through. She is funny, highly intelligent, and simply fierce. And when, at 40 years old, Patrick leaves her and she returns to live with her parents, she must confront the reality of who she is and the years that have gone by. The novel has been hailed as unforgettable by some and unsettling by others, but the fact remains that the writing is brilliant and the book is certainly worth a read.

WHERE TO FIND IT- The novel, which is shortlisted for the women’s prize for fiction, is available in all Diwan branches.

🍴 HOT AND FRESH OUT OF THE KITCHEN-

Sneak in a laid back but intimate date night with a view of the sea at Yanni’s: Located on the roof of the Diplo 3 clubhouse, Yanni’s is an authentic Greek restaurant inspired by the founder’s (John, or Yanni) Greek heritage — specifically his grandparents. The restaurant brings a cozy ambience and decor that are reminiscent of Greek island life (without trying too hard to be Mykonos in Egypt).

The dips and starters all hit the spot: We opted for htipiti (spicy roasted red pepper and feta dip) and skordalia (potato-based garlic dip), as well as sapanakopitakia(filo pastry triangles with spinach and feta cheese), dolmadakia (stuffed vine leaves), and a classic Greek salad to get started. The portions were generous (the four starters, along with their delicious freshly baked pita bread, were enough for four people to share) and each dish stood out as enjoyable in its own right.

The entrées, however, fell a little short, mostly because the quality was inconsistent: Among our group, half of the gyro wraps were delicious with the perfect balance between the chicken or beef, fries, and tzatziki sauce, while the other half had surprisingly dry meat. The sea bream fish, meanwhile, was perfectly flaky and tender, but a little bit on the under-seasoned side for our liking — although the vegetables served on the side made up for anything the main star was lacking.

Pro tip: If you really want to go all in with the Greek cuisine experience, try Yanni’s slow-roasted leg of lamb. The special menu item (named Arnaki Kleftiko) is made to feed a crowd — but you’ll need to place your order at least two days in advance.

💵 Per person: 700-1200 per person

🪑 Outdoor seating: Yes

🥦 Vegetarian/ vegan: Yes

🍺 Alcohol: Yes

🦽 Accessibility friendly: No

Have you ever fantasized about quitting your job and starting over somewhere new?

Stardew Valley gives you the chance to escape the 9-5 grind. The game, created by ConcernedApe, where players inherit a rundown, albeit charming, farm from their grandfather, prompting the decision to leave their corporate life behind and move to the countryside. On the surface, Stardew Valley looks like a typical farming sim, as farming activities are how you primarily earn money to fund your adventures, but you quickly learn that things in Pelican Town aren’t as ‘wholesome’ as they may seem.

The game progresses through passing seasons, with each offering different crops to grow and different festivals to participate in. The outcome of the season depends on how far you’ve progressed your relationships with the people of Pelican Town. As you get to know them better, you start to uncover dark secrets, witness some delicious drama, and sabotage a corporate superstore threatening to put the local grocer out of business… Or help them do it. Did we mention that you can use dark magic to reverse some regrettable life choices?

The development of Stardew Valley was an individual effort, as ConcernedApe is not a company, but a person. Eric Barone developed the game entirely, including programming it, designing the art, composing and recording the iconic soundtrack, and writing the dialogue. Five years of hard work paid off, earning remarkable popularity since its release in 2016 and receiving critical acclaim from players and critics alike. Just a few months after its release, it reached over one mn copies sold. Continuous updates and unpaid DLCs keep players engaged and adds to the game’s captivating storyline, nostalgic charm, and the sense of escapism it offers its players.

⌛ Hours of gameplay: 52.5 for main objectives, 158 for 100% completion

💵 Price: USD 14.99

👾 Platforms: Steam, Nintendo Switch, the App Store for iPhone and MacOS, Playstation, Xbox, Windows, Google Play Store, and even as a board game.

Victim/Suspect: An investigative documentary uncovering a pattern of criminalizing assaulted women

Victim/Suspect is an eye opening documentary ( trailer: runtime 2:27 ) uncovering the stories of female [redacted] assault victims walking into police stations as the injured party and ending up suspects. The documentary follows investigative journalist Rachel De Leon’s four-year journey to unveil the details of false assault allegation cases that went viral in the media. The exposé shows the manipulative approach that some police officers use during the investigation process to compel their victims to change or retract their statements — and saying that their stories are fabricated. The documentary also reveals that the filmmakers tried to repeatedly reach out to the investigators to discover their techniques in these cases. However, only one responded. Expect to stay hooked on De Leon’s film as she honestly delivers the sentiments of these victims.

One example is Emma Mannion, a 23-year-old dancing instructor, who spent a year in jail for being accused of false reporting. Her version: She was assaulted by two men who tried to chat her up after a night clubbing with friends, eventually pushed her into a car and [redacted] her. She was called into the police station for investigation three days after undergoing a medical examination that is standard procedure after an assault. The investigating police officer grills her — walking her, repeatedly, through the events to clarify the incident’s details. After two hours of inquiry he charges her with false reporting and processes her into the system. The documentary claims that the officer wanted her to admit that she engaged in consensual [redacted] activity with these men in the car, and it was, in fact, not assault. De Leon uncovers this information after extensive research to bring forth more details about this story through conversations with Emma, her parents, and reviewing all the evidence and sources from the trial.

WHERE TO WATCH- Catch Rachel De Leon’s documentary on Netflix.

THE ENTERPRISE ENTERTAINMENT CALENDAR

AUGUST

25 August (Friday): Faya Younan and Medhat Saleh concert, Citadel Festival for Music and Singing, Citadel Salah El Din, Cairo.

25 August (Friday): Russ Concert, New Alamein Festival 2023, New Alamein.

25 August (Friday): The Elite stand up comedy performance, New Alamein Festival 2023, Paragon Beach Hub, New Alamein.

26 August (Saturday):Cairokee concert, New Alamein Festival, New Alamein.

26 August (Saturday): Cairo Symphonic Orchestra and West El Balad band, Citadel Festival for Music and Singing, Citadel Salah El Din, Cairo.

27 August (Sunday): Hany Shaker concert, Citadel Festival for Music and Singing, Citadel Salah El Din, Cairo.

28 August (Monday): Hisham Abbas and Simone concert, Citadel Festival for Music and Singing, Citadel Salah El Din, Cairo.

29 August (Tuesday): Aziz Maraka concert, City Center Almaza Mall, Cairo.

31 August (Thursday): Ali El Haggar concert, Citadel Festival for Music and Singing, Citadel Salah El Din, Cairo.

SEPTEMBER

1 September (Friday): El Morabba3 band concert, Summer International Festival, Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Alexandria.

3 September (Sunday):El Morabba3 band concert, El Sawy Culturalwheel, El Zamalek, Cairo

3 September (Sunday): Hisham Kharma and Ghalia Benali concert, Citadel Festival for Music and Singing, Citadel Salah El Din, Cairo.

21-23 September (Thursday-Saturday) L’Etape Egypt by Tour de France, Sharm El Sheikh

26 September (Tuesday): Prophet Muhammad’s birthday (TBC).

28 September (Thursday): National holiday in observance of Prophet Muhammad’s birthday (TBC).

OCTOBER

6 October (Friday): Armed Forces Day.

13-20 October (Friday-Friday): El Gouna Film Festival (GFF).

28 October (Saturday): Djs Kygo, Tiësto, Kung and Frank Walker concert, Giza Pyramids.

NOVEMBER

11 November (Saturday): El Gouna Half Marathon 2023, El Gouna.

15-24 November (Wednesday-Friday): Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF).

EVENTS WITH NO SET DATE

2023: The inauguration of the Grand Egyptian Museum.

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