The initial idea about a group of friends haunted by their past as political activists and how that affected them on professional and personal levels was instantly intriguing for me. I was very much attracted to the personal and ethical dilemmas the protagonists face from the strong beliefs they carry in their hearts on the one hand and the hard choices they have to make with forces working against them on the other, and how that ends up impacting all their relationships.
Youssef, the businessman from a rich aristocratic family is trying to buy a factory that represents all the sets of beliefs that he (along with the other members of the old leftist group) once believed in. He will have to fight authority figures, suspicions from some of his old friends and his own doubts about the real motivations behind his desire to get the factory. He has personal dilemmas to overcome regarding his wife Mona who is still in love with their mutual friend and her former fiancé Ali, who is helping Youssef in his fight to get the factory; and with Rashad (now an Islamist) who hates Youssef because he still believes and old rumor that Youssef betrayed the group.
Activists usually define themselves through their beliefs and when the interests of certain authorities in society collide with these beliefs, those in authority will use all their power to oppress and manipulate not only the ideas but the activists as well.
In the face of such severe manipulation and oppression, a person sometimes tends to lose sight of his true self. And then the fight becomes two fights and the struggle becomes two struggles. This is what happens to all of the friends. They eventually realize that they first have to resolve their inner, personal and very private conflicts in order to be able to work together to resolve the bigger conflicts and external challenges they are facing. But, was it a bit too late to reach this realization?
The question is still valid now and I guess will be for some time.
Finally, if I have to define the style of the film it would be a naturalistic one. The acting, the photography, the locations and the sets will be very realistic. It will almost have the feel of a documentary film, but with no shaky camera work. The breakdown will be that of a classical feature film, which will help the audience not feel alienated from the story and privileged for being able to follow the protagonists from close quarters.