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IMDbPro

The Yacoubian Building

Original title: Omaret yakobean
  • 2006
  • 2h 45m
IMDb RATING
7.5/10
7.7K
YOUR RATING
The Yacoubian Building (2006)
Drama

Meditations on corruption, fundamentalism, prostitution, homosexuality, and drugs in central Cairo.Meditations on corruption, fundamentalism, prostitution, homosexuality, and drugs in central Cairo.Meditations on corruption, fundamentalism, prostitution, homosexuality, and drugs in central Cairo.

  • Director
    • Marwan Hamed
  • Writers
    • Alaa' Al-Aswany
    • Wahid Hamed
  • Stars
    • Adel Emam
    • Nour El-Sherif
    • Youssra
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.5/10
    7.7K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Marwan Hamed
    • Writers
      • Alaa' Al-Aswany
      • Wahid Hamed
    • Stars
      • Adel Emam
      • Nour El-Sherif
      • Youssra
    • 37User reviews
    • 22Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 9 wins & 5 nominations total

    Photos85

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    Top cast31

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    Adel Emam
    Adel Emam
    • Zaki El Dessouki
    Nour El-Sherif
    Nour El-Sherif
    • Mohammad Azzam
    Youssra
    Youssra
    • Christine
    Esaad Younis
    Esaad Younis
    • Dawlat El Dessouky
    • (as Issad Younis)
    Ahmad Bedair
    • Malaak
    • (as Ahmed Bedeir)
    Hind Sabri
    Hind Sabri
    • Bothayna
    • (as Hind Sabry)
    Khaled El-Sawi
    Khaled El-Sawi
    • Hatem Rachid
    • (as Khaled El Sawy)
    Khaled Saleh
    Khaled Saleh
    • Kamal El Fouly
    Ahmed Rateb
    Ahmed Rateb
    • Fanous
    Somaya El Khashab
    • Soad
    Basem Samrah
    Basem Samrah
    • Abd Raboh
    • (as Bassem Samra)
    Mohamed Emam
    Mohamed Emam
    • Taha El Shazly
    • (as Mohamed Imam)
    Youssef Dawood
    • Fekry Abdel Shaheed
    • (as Youseff Daoud)
    Talaat Zakaria
    Talaat Zakaria
    • Bar Owner
    • (as Talat Zakariyya)
    Yehia El-Fakharany
    Yehia El-Fakharany
    • Narrator
    Wael Mahassad
    • Journalist
    Tamer Abdelmonem
      Jihan Qamary
      Jihan Qamary
      • Raga'
      • Director
        • Marwan Hamed
      • Writers
        • Alaa' Al-Aswany
        • Wahid Hamed
      • All cast & crew
      • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

      User reviews37

      7.57.6K
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      Featured reviews

      9walidh88

      A Masterpiece!!!

      Omaret Yakobean is my new favorite movie because well everything about it is done perfectly, as in acting, music, storyline, characters... Also, it tackles so many issues and problems in the Egyptian society from corruption, to prostitution to homosexuality to many other things, things that the Egyptian cinema has been too conservative, or "shy" to handle because they are all taboo. But no! this movie tackles all these issues in an upfront and honest, yet classy and sophisticated way. However I have to point out that Mohammad Imam's performance was somewhat shaky, but he overall gave an OK performance for his first movie. On the whole, this movie is a breakthrough for the Egyptian cinema and in my opinion the best movie ever made in the history of the Arab cinema. Hopefully, more movies of that genre will be made in the future because every second of that movie was entertaining in every aspect and i was enjoying it until the very last second, and i even didn't want it to finish.this movie is just BEAUTIFUL!!!
      7evanston_dad

      They Make Melodramas in Egypt Too

      "The Yaboubian Building" reminded me of those over-heated Spanish soap operas that air nightly on Telemundo. The sweep and size of the film (not to mention its length) may fool people into thinking it's a more important picture than it actually is, when really it's not much more than one big soapy melodrama that manages to stay mostly entertaining over the course of its three hours.

      There's a lot going on in this film, and you may find you have your work cut for you just following the basics of the plot. I suspect much more of the film would have made sense to me had I known more about Egyptian culture. As it is, there are a lot of terms and situations in the film that probably didn't have their full desired effect. Of course, it's tough as an American, and therefore one used to experiencing art that throws critical darts at my country's beliefs and institutions, to fully understand how controversial this film (and the book on which it is based) has been in Egypt. By all accounts, the frank candour about corrupt government, homosexuality and the prostitution of Egyptian citizens (of all types and at all levels of society) have been greeted with quite an uproar in this film's country of origin. It's a noble effort on the part of the film-makers, and I can understand them wanting to pack in as much punch as they can, but the film tries to do too much, and the plot feels like several different agendas unsuccessfully unified into a coherent whole.

      Much of "The Yacoubian Building" is no less ham-fisted than your typical Hollywood film, not the least of which are the scenes that explain outright the film's central metaphor (the Yacoubian building itself as a representation of Egyptian society). But much of it works quite well too, especially the acting, which is pretty good across the board, the crisp pacing and the driving musical score.

      A big bold movie that bites off more than it can chew but provides a solid few hours of entertainment nonetheless.

      Grade: B+
      10Enrique-Sanchez-56

      Virtuoso Masterpiece of the Highest Calibre!

      I am still reeling from the dizzying marvel of the grand storytelling of this movie. No movie can be like a book. So I discount all who compare it to a book.

      I cared so much for these people, their stories are topical yet universal. The anguishes, the struggles, the personal demons, stay with me...as reminders of the pain of all mankind.

      "We are living in the age of deformity" said one of the characters... and so mankind still continues, forming, deforming, renewing itself. When will it end? These are the questions which this film asks of us all. But is the world deformed or - is it we who are deformed? While this movie will not answer such an unanswerable question out loud. We know the truth. But we seldomly face it...Some of us learn our lessons, some do not. But our pasts always come back to haunt us...

      I know I've not said anything about the acting, nor the unmatched technical gifts of this movie...but they are what crown this magnificent achievement from the first delicate frame until it's bleak uncompromising ending...

      The cinematography, editing, and music must be praised to the rooftops!

      ***** I recommend this movie to those who are not afraid to see the truth and see it told marvelously.

      ...
      8sergepesic

      Interesting glimpse

      The modern day Egypt is the main character of this epic. It seems to be a tumultuous place never sure if it wants to be in the West or East. The director of this interesting movie tackles quite a few controversial topics. The rise of Islamic fundamentalism, homosexuality, the poor treatment of women in contemporary Egyptian society, the rampant corruption, still powerful strict class system. Enough topics for a dozen movies, but the director somehow manages to pull it all together. Some of the story lines feel a bit rushed to its conclusion, but all in all an interesting glimpse at modern Arab world. Its people are like any other, scared and imperfect and a bit lost in the complexities of life.
      10mnadi

      One of the most watchable Egyptian Movies

      This excellent black drama is a must see despite its nearly three-hour running time, the movie is one of the most watchable and enjoyable pieces of art in Egyptian Cinema.

      I didn't read the story before seeing that controversial movie, so I had low expectations. But despite that, got hooked as early as the quality intro that takes you smoothly through an enjoyable ride to discover the background behind that nostalgic building in central Cairo through a Sepia short clip.

      The film is an artistic black drama which is full of cultural and political symbolism if you read carefully between the lines, my interpretation is that the building is a clear symbol of the country itself and how it transformed dramatically from the nostalgic early days of the 40s till the present day, shedding light on the price that the Egyptian society had to pay during that rough trip, and how the society has clear double standards that everyone is trying to ignore.

      Every side story evolves in a different direction and involves controversial characters who are linked only by the same building (society) in someway or the other, the different stories are interweaves in an artistic way to dramatise different controversial issues and taboos from adultery, political corruption, homosexuality to Islamic fundamentalism.

      The movie has a general sad feel around it especially for anyone who lived in Egypt as it touches on the deterioration and many negative issues that are becoming more and more the norm in most Egyptian society levels that was once a conservative and religious society. It is strong wakeup call to those who love their country to stop burying their heads in the sand when it comes to double standards that's affecting everyone in the society making everyone feel inferior to the country. The story will make you think deeply about how and why a country like Egypt could end up where it is today.

      The cinematography, steady cams, crane camera movement is brilliant, the smooth cuts and soft transitions boosts the romantic dimension of the storyline. As expected, the music score by Khaled Hammad is expressive, romantic and adds a lot of depth to many scenes. The tempo of the movie is just right, giving enough time for actors to express their feelings through longer than usual shots that will never leave you bored. Action scenes are also very well done.

      A must see piece of art for anyone who is living or used to live in Egypt.

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      Related interests

      Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
      Drama

      Storyline

      Edit

      Did you know

      Edit
      • Trivia
        Official submission of Egypt for the 'Best Foreign Language Film' category of the 79th Academy Awards in 2007.
      • Goofs
        When Hatem is drinking while remembering his youth near the end of the film, he finishes his drink. Seconds later, he finishes it again.
      • Soundtracks
        La Vie en Rose
        Music by Louiguy

        Lyrics by Édith Piaf

        Performed by Youssra

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      FAQ17

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      Details

      Edit
      • Release date
        • June 21, 2006 (Egypt)
      • Countries of origin
        • Egypt
        • France
      • Official site
        • Bac Films (France)
      • Languages
        • Arabic
        • French
        • English
      • Also known as
        • Yacoubians hus
      • Filming locations
        • Alexandria, Egypt(beach front)
      • Production company
        • Good News
      • See more company credits at IMDbPro

      Box office

      Edit
      • Budget
        • EGP 18,000,000 (estimated)
      • Gross worldwide
        • $2,414,837
      See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

      Tech specs

      Edit
      • Runtime
        • 2h 45m(165 min)
      • Color
        • Color
      • Sound mix
        • Dolby
      • Aspect ratio
        • 2.35 : 1

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