'Venice Biennale 2024: the must-see pavilions in the Giardini' - the Art Newspaper

17 April 2024

Egypt – Wael Shawky: Drama, 1882

One of the most inventive and unusual offerings at this year’s Venice Biennale comes courtesy of Wael Shawky, the artist selected to represent Egypt. Shawky’s film, Drama 1882, brings to life a pivotal moment in the history of the country, namely the crushing of the nationalist Urabi revolution in 1882, which resulted in British occupation until 1956. Shawky tackles the concept of revisionist history and colonial legacy in an engaging way. Who could not be moved by this musical, filmed in a historic theatre in Alexandria, that melds revolutionary moments in history with a series of sweet, surreal melodies (plus Sobhy the donkey)?