Cycle
From 30.06. To 02.07.2008.
Program of Egyptian films
Related texts
Films in cycle
The Night of Counting the Years
(Al-Mummia, 1969)
Directed by: Chadi Abdel Salam
PHOTOGRAPHY: Abdel Aziz Fahmy
Synopsis:
The story takes place in south Egypt in 1881. Vanis, a young man from the Al Harbat tribe, is torn between respect for his father, the tribe’s chief who supports his family by selling archeological artifacts, and a wish to show an Egyptologist, Kamal, the secret of a pharaoh’s tomb. When his younger brother dies from their grandfather’s hand, Vanis decides to take the archeologist into the tomb. They transfer the found treasure to Cairo. This film is always on the critics’ top list of the best...
color, 35mm, 103' min
PROJECTION:
Monday 30.06.2008 AT 19:00
Sleepless Nights
(Sahar el layaly, 2003.)
Directed by: Hani Khalifa
PHOTOGRAPHY: Ahmed Abdel Aziz
Synopsis:
This very ambitious romantic comedy is one of the few Egyptian films that openly talks about sexuality and follows several married and single characters and their adventures. A group of old friends meets for a birthday celebration of Haled and Perra’s daughter. Mushira is married to Ali, Amr to Farah and Sameh is having an affair with Inas. Their problems explode when they learn some shocking news. Mushira realizes that Ali does not satisfy her in bed. Perra lets Amr know that she is aware of hi...
digital, color, 129 min
PROJECTION:
Monday 30.06.2008 AT 21:00
Between Two Palaces
(Bin el qasrin, 1964)
Directed by: Hassan Al Imam
Synopsis:
Even though Mr Ahmed Abd el-Javad spends every afternoon after work in a bar with his friends and entertains easy women, in his home there is order and discipline. At least that is what he thinks … This classic Egyptian film based on the Nobel Prize winner Naguib Mahfouz’s novel, perfectly depicts the time when individuals parted from their families and created the Egyptian state.
black and white, 35mm, 130 min
PROJECTION:
Tuesday 01.07.2008 AT 19:00
Life, My Passion!
(Ya dunia ya gharamy, 1996)
Directed by: Magdi Ahmed Ali
Synopsis:
This is a comedy about three unmarried women, featuring three stars of contemporary Egyptian cinema. They are all in their late thirties and sexually frustrated. One of them is engaged but her fiancée gets caught stealing one day before the wedding. The other is a florist who realizes that her boyfriend picked her as the second woman in his life. The third lost her virginity with her lover who joins the fundamentalists.
color , 35mm, 105 min
PROJECTION:
Tuesday 01.07.2008 AT 21:00
Between Heaven and Earth
(Bin elsema we el-Ard, 1960)
Directed by: Salah Abouseif
PHOTOGRAPHY: Wahid Farid
Synopsis:
An actress preparing to get on a roof to film a scene, a suicidal, a crazy man who ran away from a hospital, lovers who prepare for a secret meeting, a pickpocket and several other characters find themselves stuck in an elevator that has stopped between floors. While trapped between the earth and the sky waiting for rescue, we learn about their life stories - bitter and sweet, but most of all entertaining.
black and white, 35mm, 85
PROJECTION:
Wednesday 02.07.2008 AT 19:00
Alexandria... Why?
(Eskanderia…Leh, Egypt, Alžir, 1979)
Directed by: Youssef Chahine
PHOTOGRAPHY: Mohsen Nasr
Synopsis:
This is the first part of the famous Chahine’s autobiographical trilogy about Alexandria. The story takes place at the time of WW II when Rommel’s Nazi tanks approach Alexandria. In such uncertain times, eighteen year old Mohsen (the director’s alter-ego) is more interested in film and his acting career than the serious events around him. The city is about to explode and the national pride of the local people is awakened. We follow the destinies of several characters, among others a homosexual E...