CAIRO: If a good detective story is about suspense and excitement, “Khiyana Mashruaa (Justifiable Betrayal), the new film release by film director Khalid Yousif, satisfies the requirements of that genre. There are all the elements that make up a suspense hit: a complex winding plot that no sooner reaches a denouement than it starts winding up again into a fresh mystery. There are also several cinematographic techniques used in shooting chases and fights, but “Justifiable Betrayal is much more than all that.
Also scripted by Yousif, the film focuses on the socio-political entanglements underlying crime in Egypt. It is about the everlasting counters of wealth versus poverty, and money versus sex that often feed into the darker side of crime scenes around the world.
There are people possessed of beauty and looks who use them to advantage in an attempt to gain access to the wealthy powerful group.
Yousif is stressing that situation by featuring Ibrahim Isa, editor-in chief of Al Dustur daily, an opposition publication that is well-known for criticizing the government and exposing corruption in the country.
In the film, as in reality, Al Dustur is launching its campaign against corruption and Isa is there to comment.
This is also a movie where Yousif has for the first time assigned himself a small role perhaps with the aim of testing his own acting abilities.
“Justifiable Betrayal is Yousif’s second suspense film after last year’s “Wija that pales in comparison to his new release.
While “Wija embodies philosophical dimensions, “Justifiable Betrayal is the traditional but flagrant reminder that the social shortcomings resulting from the typical market economy policies are the main drive behind a bevy of murders.
“I understand why poor people commit murders, says the investigator played by Hisham Selim. “But why do the rich kill?
To answer the question, the film revolves around a wealthy killer. This is Hisham Al Beheiri (Hany Salama), the son of a reputed businessman who cold-bloodedly murders his wife and his brother and reports the crime to the police, saying his act was been motivated by honor.
Having liquidated both after he catches them red-handed making love in his bedroom, the killer is able to achieve two goals in one.
His father, who died the year before, denied him his share of a huge fortune and legally bequeathed it to his brother Salah Al Beheiri.
But the effect of this act of betrayal has been compounded after he gets to know through Shahd (Sumiya Al Khashab) with whom he develops an extramarital relationship that his wife is cheating on him.
But if the killing of his brother passes as an act of honor, according to Sharia, he will have the right to inherit his fortune.
There are many dilemmas here which the viewer is compelled to confront. Is Al Beheiri’s crime justifiable? Al Beheiri, notorious as a playboy, a womanizer and as the idle, disinterested and irresponsible son of a businessman, incurs the wrath of his ailing father who decides to deprive him of his wealth.
But is his father Rafat Al Beheiri’s act justifiable? Rafat Al Beheiri, was a factory worker who romped his way to power by playing all games and posing as the jack of all trades.
From a simple supporter of the workers’ cause he catapulted into a tycoon who accumulated a big fortune by dealing in illicit medicines.
In the welter of his games, like a typical business tycoon, he rarely considers the upbringing of his boys. He takes a liking to Salah because he is the one who takes interest in business.
Hisham idles around enticing women, squandering money and getting involved in violent acts and thuggery. We are told they are all the result of his rashness, but his brother is no better off.
He is wise in as far as he is following in his father’s corrupt footsteps. So, who comes off being the victim here and who is to blame?
Justifiable betrayal is fraught with meaning, contradictions and surprises and does not shy away from asking the difficult questions which contemporary society is still challenged to answer.
