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'Spider-Man' faces everyday struggles in Cairo

The photos feature Spidey taking on Cairo activities including chasing a bus, riding a commuter train and driving a toktok cab for extra money.

By Ben Hooper
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CAIRO, Dec. 8 (UPI) -- A pair of Egyptian men are highlighting the struggles of Cairo residents with a photo project featuring Spider-Man tackling everyday activities.

Photographer Hossam Atef, 20, and his Spidey-suited model, Atef Saad, said they wanted to highlight the daily struggles of Cairo's 20 million residents and show how they are all "superheroes."

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"We thought, 'If Spider-Man spent a normal day of an Egyptian's life, what would happen?'" Atef told the Al Ahram Online newspaper.

The photos feature Saad in his Spider-Man costume performing activities including chasing a missed bus, riding a commuter train, hanging laundry out to dry, intervening in a street fight, driving a toktok cab for extra money and taking a rooftop break to smoke a hookah.

"In fact, all Egyptians are superheroes for enduring these difficulties every day," Atef said.

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The duo said they have been taking extra precautions to avoid law enforcement attention amid increased police scrutiny of photographers as part of anti-terror measures.

"We do not have a license [to shoot in these public places], and no one would understand what we are trying to do," Atef said. He said Saad sometimes wears a disguise over the Spider-Man costume until they are ready to take their photos. He said they were stopped once by police officers, but they were released after showing identification.

The men said their project is ongoing and spectators can expect more pictures on their Antikka Photography Facebook page.

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