Entertainment | Film & Cinema

Tribute to Youssef Chahine

Youssef Chahine, the late Egyptian film director, was honoured at the festival with an exhibition in Emirates Palace.

  • By Eman Mohammed, Abu Dhabi Deputy Editor
  • Published: 00:02 October 13, 2008
  • Tabloid

  • Chahine, who died on July 27, is considered the most internationally-recognised Egyptian director
  • Image Credit: AP

Youssef Chahine, the late Egyptian film director, was honoured at the festival with an exhibition in Emirates Palace.
The exhibition, which showcases 100 rare photos, such as Chahine's first picture as a child with his family and and his wedding photos, is the first event to take place in his memory after his death.

Chahine, who died on July 27, is considered the most internationally-recognised Egyptian director. He opened the door for new methods of filmmaking in the Arab world.

Big challenge

Film critic Samir Fared, who organised the exhibition and a close friend of Chahine said, "It was a big challenge to organise such an exhibition as Chahine's works and documents are spread out in many places. A team of 10 people worked for two months to look for his photos and film posters. Among his 40 film posters, we could only find could find 17."

Fared's friendship with Chahine started 40 years ago when he wrote a harsh article about Chahine's film Fajir Jadeed (New Dawn) in 1967 describing him as a strange director with a Western mentality.

In 1968 when Chahine finished his film Al Ardh (The Land), he invited Fared to watch the film in a special screening. "I was amazed by the movie and I regretted my previous judgement about him" Fared said.

The movie became a classic and considered a turning point in the history of Arab cinema.

Marian Khouri, a relative of Chahine, told tabloid! that the family is planning to launch a foundation to archive all his documentaries and make them available for audience.

Many Egyptian artists who played role in his films attended the exhibition such as Yousra, Khalid Al Nabawi and Tunisian singer Latifa.

Did you know?

Youssef Chahine won the lifetime achievement award at the Cannes Film Festival's 50th anniversary.

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