Renowned Egyptian film director Youssef Chahine slips into coma

Cairo: Egypt's official news agency says renowned film director Youssef Chahine is in a coma after suffering a brain hemorrhage.

The Middle East News Agency reports Chahine, 82, has been hospitalised in critical condition.

It also quotes his friend and fellow filmmaker Khaled Youssef as saying Chahine needs treatment abroad.

Chahine studied acting in California in the 1940s and went on to become one of Egypt's most distinguished film directors. His work has been critical of US foreign policy in the Middle East, as well as of Muslim fundamentalism and Egypt's authoritarian regime.