“Cairo As Seen By Chahine” / CAIRO STATION

ABOUT THE FILMS:

“Cairo As Seen by Chahine,” Dir. Youssef Chahine, 24 Min, Egypt

In Arabic with English subtitles.

This concise masterpiece by famed Egyptian filmmaker Youssef Chahine began as a commission by French television. Using his unique sense of artistic digression, Chahine transforms this portrait of a city into a self-portrait of a filmmaker. The film was banned in Egypt for its realistic portrayal of Cairo.

FORMAT: DCP

CAIRO STATION, Dir. Youssef Chahine, 76 Min, Janus Films, Egypt

In Arabic with English subtitles.

A newspaper hawker (portrayed by the director himself) at the eponymous train depot develops a frightening obsession with a sexy lemonade vendor (co-star Hind Rustom was nicknamed the “The Arab Marilyn Monroe.”) That’s the premise for this suspenseful drama which cunningly uses the bustling station to depict clashing strata of Egyptian society. Chahine’s combination of gritty authenticity and psychosexual Expressionism created a landmark of Egyptian cinema—despite public boycotts over its unflinching perversity and politics.

FORMAT: DCP