Brenda Broer discusses Cairo Time | CAFTCAD - The Canadian Alliance of Film and Television Costume Arts and Design

CAFTCADEMY 2012 Weekend Series of Professional Costume Seminars

Brenda Broer discusses Cairo Time Featured

Brenda Broer discusses Cairo Time

What drew you to this project? The idea of dressing Patricia Clarkson in a romantic role intrigued me and when I realized it was set in Cairo, I became very excited.

What is the storyline? It is about a woman, married for over 20 years, whose children have left home, and is questioning her life’s choices. Juliette (played by Patricia) is the wife of a diplomat in the Gaza strip. She goes to visit him in Cairo when he is delayed due to unrest in Gaza. He sends a friend, Tariq to meet her and be her guide while she waits for her husband. Juliette learns a lot about herself and becomes close to Tariq.

What research methods did you rely on? I began researching Bedouin and contemporary Muslim culture and dress from books and websites. However, when I arrived in Cairo, I realized that my research wasn’t enough. In Muslim cultural the ‘rules’ for dress vary considerably. Cairo is more conservative than it was decades ago, but young women do dress in revealing silhouettes. Depending on religious beliefs, women in Cairo chose to wear a burka when they get married. And although Hijabs (headscarves) are worn by the majority of women, they are certainly not worn by all. Advance research was essential, but the real process began after arrival. Comfortable sandals and Egyptian coffee kept my jet-lagged eyes open to explore locally for inspiration.

Who was on your wardrobe team? I had 4 set people from large Egyptian films that spoke almost no English, which meant communicating in the style of charades. We needed someone for Patricia who could speak English and who understood western industry standards. To my relief, they brought Sheila Fitzpatrick over to join us.

What was your favorite costume? My favorite piece was Patricia’s sea-foam green chiffon dress. Mid-way through, I sent it out for dry-cleaning and it came back several shades lighter, crispy and had shrunk half a foot! I’ll never forget Sheila and I trying to steam the life back into it. It had to be re-made.

What was the most difficult part of the design process? Without a doubt it was dressing the Israeli soldiers. Not only were no police or army uniforms available for rent in Egypt, I was warned about laws against bringing them in. Not only would they be confiscated by customs, but I would be risking punishment. My team explained that they usually have to make them. I expressed my doubts about the authenticity of the scene with ‘homemade’ costumes, but I really had no choice. I have to say, I was impressed with the results given the circumstances!

What was one of your fondest memories of the shoot? We shot for a day in the ‘white desert’, eight hours north-west of Cairo. After wrap we went to a hotel on a small oasis for a marvelous evening by a candlelit pool with Bedouin food and sheesha. Unforgettable!

Any other notes? I wish I brought pant hangers and zippers. I couldn’t get them in Cairo and the few zippers I brought became like gold to me. 

Part of: Inspiration « Costume Design Is Monique Prudhomme’s Perfect Fit
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