You know what they say: the bigger they are, the harder they fall. Such is the case for Fares Fares’ George Fahmy in Eagles of the Republic. Known to the people of Egypt as the “Pharaoh of the Screen,” George gets into hot water when his morally problematic lifestyle catches up with him, and he is essentially coerced into playing the (actual) president of Egypt, Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, in a propaganda biopic. Directed by Tarik Saleh, Fares and Saleh reunite at Cannes for the third and final installment of Saleh’s Cairo Trilogy, a set of films aimed at criticizing Egypt’s most powerful people. Fares, who has appeared in the previous two films, Boy From Heaven and The Nile Hilton Incident, shines at the center of a story that both dabbles in a satire of the film industry and also examines the dark corruption that lies beneath the surface of the government.
Fares Fares Is Charismatic and the Perfect Superstar in ‘Eagles of the Republic’

Image via Cannes

Eagles of the Republic’s greatest strength lies in Fares Fares, who is all too convincing as a superstar actor in Egypt, striking a delicate balance between his comedic scenes and dramatic ones. Fares is incredibly charming and affable as George, who seems to know everyone and has connections everywhere. Sometimes, he might be a bit of a diva (at one point, he says in the third person, “George Fahmy doesn’t make bad films”), and he’s definitely not the world’s best father, but this only humanizes him in the eyes of the viewer. We see this especially when the going gets tough, as he’s willing to help out his family and his friends, even if it could risk his reputation.
The first half of the film leans into the glamour of George’s life. Seeing his son Ramy (Suhaib Nashwan) for his birthday — one he forgot about — he gifts him an expensive watch while his son makes pot shots at George’s new girlfriend, Donya (Lyna Khoudri), who is young enough to be his daughter. Facing off against a censorship board for his latest film, and we become slowly aware of just how controversial aspects of his life are. He is separated from his wife and lives full-time with his mistress, he drinks, he’s not really religious, and he indulges in worldly pleasures. Everything about his life screams excess.
While Fares excels in his most dramatic and heart-pounding moments of the film, the surprise is just how good his comedic timing is. One particular scene sees him buying Viagra at a local pharmacy. Obviously, as the Pharaoh of the Screen, he has to go incognito to buy such medications, but he is instantly recognized by a giddy pharmacist who is not only a huge fan but also offers him some advice on medications (Cialis is better than Viagra!) This is where the film is the most entertaining as Saleh leans into the satire of celebrity and indulges in all of the familiar stereotypes that come with being an actor. It is only later in the film that he looks at the story through a more critical lens.
Tarik Saleh Doesn’t Pull Any Punches With ‘Eagles of the Republic’

Imagw Via Cannes Film Festival

With the government married to the film, George ends up in a close circle of the president’s most powerful officials who call themselves the “eagles of the republic.” Among them is the minister of defense, a creepy man who screams corruption but who also happens to be married to the beautiful and enigmatic Suzanne (Zineb Triki). George, being the lothario he is, inevitably falls into bed with her. As the film progresses, we see George become more troubled by the circles that he’s become involved with. A few times, realizing that he now has connections in high places in the government, he uses his connections for good, as any celebrity might. But as the story progresses, these favors no longer outweigh the troubling connections he’s making.

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Tarik Saleh never lets us forget about the corruption within the system and the wrongdoers who exist at the very top of the system. Although we do not get a lot of the fictionalized El-Sisi, the people in his inner circle are evidence enough of Saleh’s criticisms. It’s notable that Saleh’s camera often lingers on the figures that stand in the shadows and observe George in his day-to-day life. There are eyes everywhere, and while that might set off alarm bells for the average person, it doesn’t for someone like George. But we are made aware that the eyes on George aren’t typical. These are eyes searching for mistakes, searching for weaknesses. Even at the film’s lightest moments, Saleh reminds us that George can’t live as carefree as he might want to. He reiterates that no one is untouchable, not even someone as beloved as George.
There’s Just Not Enough of the Supporting Characters in ‘Eagles of the Republic’

Image via Cannes

A prevailing problem that becomes obvious once you take a closer look at Eagles of the Republic is that Fares dominates the screen and the film rarely makes room for other performances to shine alongside him. Whether intentionally or unintentionally, this feels like a one-man show. The only other standout performance comes from Amr Waked, who plays the ominous and sinister Dr. Manssour. His scenes, specifically when he faces off with George as the only honest face of a controlling government, are the most tense parts of the film. Characters like George’s young girlfriend Donya and his estranged wife get little exploration, which only weakens the overall narrative and makes them feel more like set dressing rather than a part of the story as a whole.
In fact, all of the female characters in the film feel like they simply exist to serve George’s story and get little development beyond that. Suzanne reveals an intriguing backstory, one that might make us wonder how she ended up with such a controlling and corrupt husband. However, after her introduction, she is quickly sorted into the category of lover and not given much else to do beyond that. Cherien Dabis plays George’s long-time friend and colleague, Rula, who also gets pulled into the politics of the industry, but despite getting her own dark storyline, much of it takes place off-screen. These unresolved plots leave the story feeling incomplete in some ways, and it feels like either they needed to be cut completely from the story or given more depth and nuance to enhance the overall message that Saleh is trying to convey.
‘Eagles of the Republic’ Takes a Darker Turn Toward Its Final Act

Image via Cannes

The flaw of Eagles of the Republic is that halfway through the film, as George becomes more embroiled in the propaganda, the once light-hearted tone of the movie disappears. The third act takes a violent and dark turn and abruptly changes the pacing. As the film changes its focus more on a political conflict, ironically, it feels like the film loses some of its punch. Perhaps it’s because the focus is no longer solely on George, but the shift almost makes it feel like a different movie.
It feels inevitable, though, as the movie was always working toward some kind of breaking point, as George is pushed to do more and more. But I found myself wishing for a better conclusion for the Pharaoh of the Screen, and perhaps that’s because I got a bit too lost in the charisma of a fictional superstar. Still, Fares Fares proves he has more than enough star power to be a leading man, which only means I need him in more projects in the future, and Tarik Saleh rounds off his Cairo Trilogy in a meaningful and punchy final installment.
Eagles of the Republic premiered in the main competition of the 2025 Cannes Film Festival.

Eagles of the Republic

Tarik Saleh’s final installment of the Cairo Trilogy takes direct shots at El-Sisi while throwing the audience into a satirical look at the film industry.

Release Date

October 22, 2025

Runtime

127 Minutes

Director

Tarik Saleh

Writers

Tarik Saleh

Cast

Fares Fares

George El-Nabawi

Hassan El Sayed

Coptic Bishop

Pros & Cons

Fares Fares embraces playing a charismatic and famous superstar perfectly.
Saleh’s commentary on the corruption at the top is sharp and layered.

The final act is too sharp of a tonal shift to maintain harmony with the rest of the film.