The Other

Youssef Chahine in his movie: "El Akhar" predicted what would be the consequences of terrorism movements. What a Legend 💕

Truthfully, every time I watch a film directed by the creator, Youssef Chahine, I am sure a director for all generations . Maestro will not be repeated in Arabic cinema.

Only a distinguished maestro can guide great stars such as Nabila Obaid, Hemida, Azat Abu Auf, Lebleba , Ahmed Fouad Selim, Hanan Turk and Hani Salama to get the best performance for them.

The music is great with Magda El Roumi's voice 💕

Twenty minutes after screening L'AUTRE at a film festival lately, I lost all hope it could be viewed as a serious film and began to see it for what it is- a tacky melodrama. More cliches are impossible to fit in (cyberspace, terrorism, Oedipus complexes, the works). If this is what Egyptian filmmaking is like, Mexican telenovelas are a a refined art form with nuanced acting. Worth seeing if only for the SHOCKING appalling experience of what passes off as brilliant filmmaking in North Africa. A total disgrace to the art form, and a total disgrace to Egypt, which has contributed too much to world culture to let this travesty represent the the state of its cinematic arts.

Don't be fooled by appearances: the fact that this is an exotic entry from Egypt doesn't shield the fact that it's just a boy-meets-girl love story given heavier trappings. Adam is the son of a wealthy Egyptian-American family who is studying at UCLA and returns home for a brief vacation. Upon his arrival he meets beautiful reporter Hanane, with whom he begins an intense love affair, and eventually they marry. Trouble arises when Hanane' s journalistic interests lead her to the corrupt business affairs of Adam's parents, who are interested in building an American tourist compound that would allow Americans further control of Egypt's tourist industry, and make them a whole lot richer. The climactic ending of the film is the tragic result of the adults' selfish greed which manifests itself on their children. Not really inspiring in any way, the film does feature some colourful musical numbers and wry moments. Nabila Ebeid is excellent as Adam's hard-driven mother.

I am a big movie buff and have been watching great directors such as Bergman, Felini, Kuberik and see foreign movies on regular basis.

Yousef Chahine is one of the most talented directors today. His movie "The other" exhibits many of the shortcomings of Muslim cultures. The Meeting scene in the airport was brilliant and heartwarming. I loved Chahine's brilliant choice of playing Arabic music at the wedding. The attitude of the rich towards poor is very accurate and the character of Diana was so exemplary of most Westerners attitude and behavior in other countries. I have watched this movie many times and each time I love it more. Chahine tells it like it is and needs no apology or explanation because those who are true movie fans and understand other cultures and their issues appreciate his exposure regarding the Muslim men hitting their wives no matter how educated they are (and even raping them as seen in the movie). Most westerners do not realize that in many Muslim nations women are married young and their children become their obsession so the relationship portrayed was correct. The corruption shown is very true and most Americans are not aware of what American businessmen do in other countries and at what price. This movie gives a good portrayal of complexity of relationships in countries predominately Muslim (even though the main characters are Christian in this movie). I loved the one liner about Americans having trained the son who is a terrorist back from Afghanistan. The scenes showing women among the terrorists are another means to educate most people about the problem not being limited to having men terrorists. Take it from someone who knows movies and downs a large selection for Movies from around the world. Chahine is the Ingamr Bergman of our time, only better.

A very good romance between a prince and a unsubdued girl, so it is for a general public. "Le Destin" (1997) was better since it was more historical and the songs were really part of the film. But "L'autre" includes also a fair good critics of terrorism (in Algeria and in Egypt). So, if you've never seen a Chahine's film, see this one, before "Le Destin" and long for the next one.