Films
Poster of Egyptian film 1938 from wikicommons copyright expired
Egypt started producing silent films in the 1890s, with 1927's Layla being the first full-length feature film. Cairo's film industry has been a regional force since sound was introduced in the 1930s. With more than 4000 films produced in Egypt, roughly three quarters of the total Arab production, it has been dubbed the Hollywood of the Middle East.
In the seventies some Arab directors such as Moustafa Akkad, a Syrian American, rose to fame. Egyptian films while being Egyptian in their rawness are generally more European leaning in their style than American. Some of the most celebrated Egyptian directors are: Chadi Abdel-salam, Youssef Chahine, Atef El-Tayeb, Yousry Nassrallah and Sherif Arafa. 
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Youssef Chahine from wikicommons first Published in Al - Ahram Daily News Paper when he launched his film (The 6th Day) - (اليوم السادس) copyright expired
My favourite director is Youssef Chahine. He started his career in the 1950s and died in the late 2000s. He studied at Alexandria's Victoria College and then at the Pasadena Playhouse in Los Angeles, Hollywood.
Initially, his films were too radical for Egyptian film viewers' taste; however, with the passage of time he became a favorite as his films challenged the status quo and were often at odds with the government. Due to the lack of support from a government backed industry, he formed a joint Egyptian-French production company and was therefore able to share his more controversial ideas through feature films and short documentaries. He won the Cannes Film Festival lifetime achievement award in 1997. He also launched the careers of many actors and actresses including Omar Sharif. After his death he was also honored BY BAFTA for his contribution to film. His notable films include; Destiny, The immigrant, Alexandria.. again and forever, An Egyptian Tale, Return of The Prodigal Son, Adieu Bonaparte and The Sixth Day (starring Dalida). More about Egyptian Cinema at:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egyptian_cinema More about Youssef Chahine at: http://www.youssefchahine.us/index2.html |
Some films to consider viewing are;
- The Mummy (The night of counting years) by Chadi Abdel Salam (1969) [feature film] - The Message (Arabic version) by Moustapha Akkad (1977) [feature film] - Cairo as seen by Chahine by Youssef Chahine (1991) [short documentary] - Destiny by Youssef Chahine (1997) [feature film] - The Yacoubian Building by Marwan Hamed (2006) [feature film] - Caramel by Nadine Labaki (2007) [feature film] - 678 by Mohamed Diab (2010) [feature film] - Wadjda by Haifaa Al-Mansour (2012) [feature film] - Omar by Hany Abu-Assad (2013) [feature film} - The blue elephant by Marwan Hamed (2014) [feature film] 
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