Saturday, October 17, 2015

Les Petits Chats Movie Review

Photo courtesy of MAD Solutions

Seven Elvis's

Arabian Sights Plot: Get ready to tap your feet to James Brown's "I Feel Good," The Beatles "With a Little Help from My Friends" and Ray Charles' "Unchain My Heart" - as performed by Egypt's legendary Les Petits Chats. Concerts by the 60s and 70s rock band were mobbed by loyal fans who danced the night away. Their songs, most of which were an eclectic array of American and European chart toppers, were amazingly and accurately choreographed. Sherif Nakhla's highly enjoyable documentary offers us an insight into the lives of the former band-mates during and after their glory days by tracking the life choices they made after their breakup in the 80s. Now major Egyptian celebrities and musicians, the six members are reunited for one last show. Beyond electrifying the crowds and reviving past thrills, that magical night also reignited a flame within each of the band members.


Founder Wagdi Francis laments, "We may have waited too long for this," referring to a reunion concert almost 40 years in the making; but thankfully all goes well in Les Petits Chats, Sherif Nakhla's excellent rockumentary about Egypt's most famous cover band. The songs are familiar (although not quite on par with the artists who made them famous) but Nakhla's movie is more about "music, peace and love," and an ever-changing crew that served as "an expression for a whole generation." The camaraderie is genuine & fun to watch (carrying-on, swapping old photographs) and their final performance... "good times" indeed.

GradeB