Tips from the culture desk: An acclaimed screenwriter, cover bands, good films in Cairo

Cairenes can ease into a new year of culture slowly but surely with these three solid recommendations. Also, be sure to check out Tripod, an online magazine publishing independent film criticism that was launched just yesterday by some ambitious cinephiles from Alexandria.

Zinzana + Mustang at Zawya — until Wednesday

This week Zawya screens not one but two important films. The French-Turkish production Mustang, which showed at the Panorama of the European Film last month, enters its third week with screenings at 3 and 10 pm, while Jordanian-UAE production Zinzana (Rattle the Cage) shows at 1, 5 and 7.30 pm.

Mustang was one of the most critically acclaimed films of 2015. The debut of Turkish-born French raised film director Deniz Gamze Ergüven, it tells the story of five young orphaned sisters struggling with a conservative society and its disturbing darkness story is offset by humor and beautiful visuals. Zinzana is a fast-paced thriller, the first film by UAE director Majid al-Ansari, about a former alcoholic who wakes up in a prison cell with no ID. It stars the charismatic Saleh Bakry, who has become a staple of Palestinian cinema.

Showing daily at Zawya until 6 January, but might extend for another week. Zawya is at the back of Odeon Cinema, 4 Abdel Hamid Said Street, off Talaat Harb Street, downtown Cairo. Tickets are LE20 for the 1 pm showing and LE25 for the rest, and can be bought online or through Vodafone by calling 2121.

A talk with scriptwriter Mariam Naoum — Friday

Mariam Naoum started off studying economics in France, but moved back to Egypt, switched careers and has since had a massive impact on Egyptian TV with the widel -watched and much-discussed TV series Zaat, Segn al-Nesa (Women’s Prison) and Taht al-Sayatara (Under Control). Since writing the feature filmWahid Sifr (One-Nil) in 2009, her work has been characterized by strong political opinions, extremely well-crafted writing, and commercial success. Her TV series have all revolved one way or another around women’s issues in Egypt in a very serious fashion, yet are also great fun to watch, a rare combination in an industry shaped by an over-focus on production values and superficial entertainment. On Friday she will talk (in Arabic) about her career to date.

6 pm, January 8 at Osiris, 68 AlKasr al-Aini, Garden City, Cairo. See Facebook event here, or reserve a place by caling 01067363433. 

Loopstache and Disco Masr — Friday

Hailing from Beirut, indie-electro cover band Loopstache reproduce some of the finest Western pop selections by diverse artists such as Moby, Franz Ferdinand, Amy Winehouse and Daft Punk. Although their project only started two years ago, they have performed widely in Beirut and around the region, and promise to put on a great party. DJ duo Disco Masr, who some of you might remember from the Panorama of the European Film after-party, finishes off the night with a mixture of iconic songs from our childhood, old advertisements and independent music from the region. They tend to perfectly hit the balance between nostalgia and originality.  

10 pm January 8, at Cairo Jazz Club, 197 26th of July Street, Agouza, Cairo. Entrance is free for people over 25 and mixed groups, but reservation recommended: +202 3345 9939.