Egyptian cinema

Throughout his career, the renowned Egyptian film director challenged authority, rejected easy answers, and remained rooted in lived experience

Every month, Al Majalla offers its take on the screen's newest releases, with the occasional dip into the archives to review an older classic.

From 1936-47, the legendary singer acted in half a dozen Egyptian movies, which were big box-office successes, but retired just as the film industry was at its peak

An evocative story of finding hope in adversity, 'The Brink of Dreams' follows a group of girls from a poor village who defy conservativism and discouragement to follow their dreams

In the modern world, love is no longer looked at with rose-coloured glasses. Mirroring this real-world shift, 'Lover' and 'It Ends With Us' opt for darker, more nuanced storylines.

The trailblazing Egyptian producer and actress with a tumultuous private life had become an icon when she died in 2020, not least for having stood against the nationalisation of cinema

A visionary film, and the state-of-the-art way in which it was shot, shows how modernised production is moving the country's movie-making up to global standards with a new genre: Arab action

There is a realistic and convincing portrayal of Egypt from a cosmopolitan cast in this 2023 release, but the struggle of the characters to make emotional progress stands out.

In 'Tales of a Cinematographer: The Strange and the Hidden of Filmmaking,' Shimi takes us behind the scenes of his storied career, mixing personal anecdotes with a rich national history.

Al Majalla reviews the film discussing its strengths and shortcomings. All in all, it is a valiant effort that finally does away with the misogyny often found in horror films.