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The Blue Elephant

  • 2014
  • Not Rated
  • 2h 50m
IMDb RATING
8.0/10
31K
YOUR RATING
The Blue Elephant (2014)
The story of Dr. Yehia, a psychotherapist at Al Abbasia hospital. He works in the department treating the criminally insane, only to find his best friend to be one of the patients. Trying to help his friend he finds himself going down the rabbit hole.
Play trailer3:36
1 Video
42 Photos
Psychological HorrorPsychological ThrillerCrimeDramaHorrorMysteryThriller

While trying to help an inmate at the mental hospital, a psychotherapist unravels mysteries he never thought existed.While trying to help an inmate at the mental hospital, a psychotherapist unravels mysteries he never thought existed.While trying to help an inmate at the mental hospital, a psychotherapist unravels mysteries he never thought existed.

  • Director
    • Marwan Hamed
  • Writer
    • Ahmed Mourad
  • Stars
    • Karim Abdel Aziz
    • Khaled El-Sawi
    • Nelly Karim
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    8.0/10
    31K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Marwan Hamed
    • Writer
      • Ahmed Mourad
    • Stars
      • Karim Abdel Aziz
      • Khaled El-Sawi
      • Nelly Karim
    • 76User reviews
    • 1Critic review
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 wins total

    Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 3:36
    Trailer

    Photos42

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    Top cast34

    Edit
    Karim Abdel Aziz
    Karim Abdel Aziz
    • Dr. Yehia Rashed
    Khaled El-Sawi
    Khaled El-Sawi
    • Sherif Al Kordy
    • (as Khaled El Sawy)
    • …
    Nelly Karim
    Nelly Karim
    • Lobna
    Mohamed Mamdouh
    Mohamed Mamdouh
    • Dr. Sameh
    • (as Muhammad Mamdooh)
    Lebleba
    Lebleba
    • Dr. Safaa
    Shereen Reda
    Shereen Reda
    • Deega
    • (as Sherin Reda)
    Dareen Haddad
    Dareen Haddad
    • Maya
    Gamil Barsoom
    • Sayyed
    • (as Gamil Barsoum)
    Muhammad Abu Al Wafa
    • Mohsin
    Firas Saayed
    • Awni
    • (as Feras Said)
    Mohamed Shahin
    • Shaker
    Sahar Abdulhameed
    • Mervat
    Yasser Ali Maher
    • Dr. Kilany
    Mohamed Abdel Azim
    • Taxi Driver
    Galal El Ashari
    Sherif El Khayam
    Ashraf El-Ghannam
    • Nurse
    • (as Ashraf Al Ghannam)
    Yasine Fathi
    • Director
      • Marwan Hamed
    • Writer
      • Ahmed Mourad
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews76

    8.030.7K
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    Featured reviews

    8lukemooreAASH

    Self-flagellation on Pause!

    Ahmed Mourad's The Blue Elephant novel has been a hit in Egypt and Arab world with a huge amount of controversy among readers from all levels of knowledge, culture and interest. Swinging between the spread success and all the criticism it faced due to the massive attraction of many readers, It managed to be always on headlines between people and of course at every book store and now it made it through to the big screen.

    Marwan Hamed, one of Egypt finest directors made good choices of the actors and the settings of the scenes. The shooting seemed nice and smooth in most scenes, a bit fair and out of balance in few but mainly it went mostly good.

    All actors Kareem, Nelly and the others were mostly on form giving their good performance except of Khaled El Sawy whose performance was exceptional.

    The characters on screen appeared close to the author description in shape and behavior. The stylist must have studied and understood the characters well enough to apply that with such a success on their looks.

    Until then the movie was going to be just Good, But it needed a sparkle to make it a Great movie according to the standards of Egyptian and Arab cinema production and driving it a step forward to the International standards.

    The sparkle came from VFX team with the DOP who both did a great job reflecting Mourad's toughest scenes of the novel into a visual reality with professional touches by Hamed.

    Some side notes about the dialogue, shooting and supporting characters cannot ruin the good work has been done by all the crew.

    I have always had a big objection about the story ending, but for now I may leave that to myself and enjoy watching an Egyptian cinema production with such professionalism and high standards.

    it's not perfect - like anything will never be - yet it's a big step forward that we should applaud and keep our Self-flagellation on Pause!
    6mrwnmero

    I had every right to be skeptical about this one

    Literally everyone I know that watched this film kept pushing me into watching it. claiming it is some sort of a cinematic achievement. I don't think it is bad, but seriously Egyptians and Indians need to stop over-rating movies made by their countries. They're driven by a sense of patriotism that I cannot understand, which usually leads to many unfair ratings like the 8.2 in the blue elephant. I was impressed with the cinematography but I did not appreciate the slow motion scenes. Also the background music was strongly unrelated in some scenes. The overall emphasis on alcohol addiction seemed like an exaggeration to me and the pacing of the story is all over the place. still, this might be one of the best Egyptian movies I have seen and is an exciting new approach in Egyptian cinema. I enjoyed it but it doesn't belong anywhere near the 8 category.
    8atlastu2

    Well Done

    This type of genre is nothing new In American movies but In the Egyptian cinema it's quite a surprise. The beginning of the film Is something seen in many films about someone accused of murder and being checked by a psychiatrist. The ironic thing is that the doctor whose job is to treat the mentally insane is messed up just as much as his patients. and even though this doctor seems to destroy everything he touches,you still feel that there is hope left In him. What happens after that is very hard to explain, it can only be seen . and that's what's special about this film,it's visually entertaining . The story ending might be strange and you might have many questions unanswered. but good films usually leave you wondering like that. Very good cast and amazing direction. And as was said in the film there's a fine line between what's real and what's not and what makes you want to cross that line Is curiosity. Egyptian cinema Is back to life with this film.
    8AhmedAkef

    Blue Elephant film work impressive and promising the return of bright literary novel of Cinema

    Blue Elephant novel re-Egyptian novel for the cinema after nine years since the film The Yacoubian Building, a distinct return to see her novel of the most important and most beautiful novels Was introduced during the last five years at the hands of the creator Ahmad Murad I will start by talking about the scenario because Murad could formulate a novel scenario in Very tightly managed through which to be familiar with the most important and accurate details of his story did not prejudice The aim of the novel or its meaning, but was able to see him improve his idea and drafting Joomla talk In a remarkable and highly proportionality with language Senymaúah introduced pursuant creative Extremely difficult and new at the same time the Arab cinema in general. Marwan Hamed skillfully and intelligently transfer what he wrote Ahmed Murad on the silver screen and in a manner Unprecedented in terms of output Senymaúa interested Marwan careful attention personalities Graphics and gave a very impressive scenes in the safe also took all the representatives in the image More than wonderful came in the film moves between the development stages of discovery revives The fact of what could be the most beautiful and Omtana really all interestingness in the game camera And focus on the idea of ​​body language with all the characters, and that point is calculated for Marwan It's a very conscious way out to prove that he is able to portray the idea of ​​the writer in a manner more than Wonderful and there was a focus on the body language added a lot to work also added Marwan lots and lots of places Pachtaarath smart imaging especially those places Collected between salutes and structures which add atmosphere is very compatible with the nature of the film And those checks will find that even considering accessories Nelly Karim came very appropriate To the work environment as a whole Kareem Abdul-Aziz: intelligent artist you can change your skin in a blue elephant and made personal New and different from what presented before and I was able to play a role brilliantly and intelligent and there I can not forget the scenes puzzled salutes in front of himself in front of the situation and the constant focus In the language of the body all around .. trying to discover the truth all the time .. I understood Rashid greets well-presented and the performance is remarkable too Khaled El Sawy: as usual surprised and enjoyed the personal Sheriff Maher Kurdi does not fit Performance of someone else ... someone else perform Khaled Sawi film at least in magnitude for The performance of Anthony Hopkins ... Looks sharpness between the eyes at times and calm at times .. and those who Checks will find that the voice of Khaled El Sawy was changing between scenes noticeable change .. Scenes were beautiful and exotic state of cohabitation and manufactured for the personal Vgesdtha Screen astonishing performance and terrifying. Nelly Karim: embodied the role of Ms. Lubna thin beautiful manner quiet and sophisticated Very able and portray the feelings of those beloved and highlighted perfectly in the scenes at the summit Romance brings to mind the beautiful romantic time Lebleba: about three scenes but Lebleba professorship in her performance and her impressions Own and know how to use coded by personal performed. Mohamed Mamdouh: I tried too much to imagine during the reading of the plays the character as possible Sameh Zidane and after I saw the film I did not see you .. provided the most appropriate doctor vindictive Wondrously silly and made him once he overlooks the screen without speaking personal As grim picture Ahmed Murad in his novel. Darren Smith - Mohammed Shaheen - Shirin Reza Abdatm in very few scenes but you You have made them memorable sights and even printed in the viewer's mind forever. Hisham honest: the case of realizing the subject prior to the submission Hisham always music as Did before the peace and the snake Tito and the sleepless nights and Abraham White and thieves In KGL Toe and more recently in the seven commandments ... I see the Blue Elephant In tune Music is very appropriate for the work and add music atmosphere vague sense of Azad Movie scenes. Note: There is one scene I had hoped that the film will be a car accident scene And the death of Yahya wife and daughter .. This was the scene will add a lot to figure Yahya Because it is the basis of the problem and was able to cream in his narrative of the incident sweetheart Lubna to arrive Scenes within the same salutes and makes you feel, and its sense of Palme. Each greeting and appreciation for the makers of this wonderful work and I see upscale response to be considered Egyptian cinema and put back on track after a recent decline For years.
    8abanobmorad

    Whether you read the novel or not, Go watch it, you'll be proud !

    Al-Feel Al-Azraq, I've not been so attracted by an Arabic movie that much (That I actually went to see it on the big screen) in ages ! And I didn't regret it ! :D Where to start ! Great scenario, not one unnecessary line. Karim Abdel Aziz at the highest peak of his career, Khaled El Sawy with a literally LEGENDARY performance ! Soundtrack, montage, editing, effects, CGI, filming, directing...all are so professional, so PERFECT...that you'll enjoy every scene so much that you won't want it to end, because the picture is SO beautiful ! Even if nothing important is going on during the scene, and trust me, there's something important going on in every scene, the movie is very intense, very highly detailed ! Story line will keep consuming all your attention till the very end. About the ending, it won't match with every taste (biggest weak point in the movie.) That's why I gave it a 9/10. But hell, I'm so proud that this project is 100%ly Egyptian ! Restored the hope. :)

    I really missed that kinda Shutter-Island feeling ! Go watch it !

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    Related interests

    Daniel Kaluuya in Get Out (2017)
    Psychological Horror
    Rosamund Pike in Gone Girl (2014)
    Psychological Thriller
    James Gandolfini, Edie Falco, Sharon Angela, Max Casella, Dan Grimaldi, Joe Perrino, Donna Pescow, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Tony Sirico, and Michael Drayer in The Sopranos (1999)
    Crime
    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama
    Mia Farrow in Rosemary's Baby (1968)
    Horror
    Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway in Chinatown (1974)
    Mystery
    Cho Yeo-jeong in Parasite (2019)
    Thriller

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The writer Ahmed Mourad changed the movie's ending from his original novel.
    • Goofs
      In the café, Yehia and Lobna order two espressos, tea and cheesecake. The order is served in less than 5 seconds which is impossible.
    • Quotes

      Yehia Rashed: And the difference between fact and fiction will always be a door called "Curiosity".

    • Connections
      Followed by The Blue Elephant 2 (2019)

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    FAQ21

    • How long is The Blue Elephant?Powered by Alexa
    • Is Blue Elephant film Based on a novel ?
    • What is the "Blue Elephant" ?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • July 28, 2014 (Egypt)
    • Country of origin
      • Egypt
    • Official sites
      • Official Facebook
      • Official TEMDB page
    • Language
      • Arabic
    • Also known as
      • Голубой слонёнок
    • Filming locations
      • Cairo, Egypt
    • Production companies
      • Al Shorouk for Media Productions
      • Albatross Production Company
      • Lighthouse Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $3,500,000 (estimated)
    • Gross worldwide
      • $695,436
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 2h 50m(170 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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