It may not be helpful to read about the Egyptian constitution but it can be very entertaining, especially if you read about it in the book titled Article 212 (El Madah 212) by Haitham Dabour (not to be confused with the fictional character played by Ahmed Mekky). However, if you’re pressed for time it might be worth your while to watch the short movie by Karim El Shenawy based on the book.

Article 212 assumes Egyptians don’t abide by the articles found in our constitution. Moreover, the film posits that there must be a secret, unwritten (un)constitutional article that overrides all other articles. This ficitious article is dubbed ‘Article 212’.

The film presents common situations on the Egyptian street along with the constitutional articles that they violate. Some of the constitutional articles read out in the film are articles 46, 47 and 54, which relate to religious freedom, freedom of speech and the right to peaceful assembly without police interference, respectively. The mock-documentary features real people and actors performing situations commonly found on the Egyptian street.

El Shenawy’s previous film Direction: El Marg (Etegah El Marg) revolved around a student at the American University in Cairo taking the metro and observing how people behaved at each station.

The idea to turn the book into a short film was the result of his interest in social media. “We wanted to raise awareness about the constitution in an entertaining manner,” says El Shenawy, “The film may have informed around 70,000 viewers who watched it online that there are 211 articles [in the constitution], and that we as people contradict our constitution.”

In less than 10 minutes the film tackles a serious subject in a light and accessible manner. It may be worth your time to sneak a peek at Article 212.

The following is link to the short film on Youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DQhEnfSnp8