Having read the Yacoubian Building novel a few years ago, when I first heard that it will be turned into a movie, I was intrigued and wary at the same time.
I was worried they might ruin a good novel by turning it into a 2nd class movie.
So the day it came out, I went over with a couple of friends to check it out, and I must say, my worries were unfounded.
The story is about the old downtown Yacoubian Building, its residents, their lives, and how it reflects the status of today’s Egyptian society, with all its corruption, malfunctions and problems.
It opens with a historical brief about the building, who built it, who lived there throughout the years, and what it has become today.
The main characters of the film include Zaki Pasha (Adel Imam), the aging womanizer who’s never worked a day in his life, and spends his time chasing women and drinking, and his disapproving sister Dawlat (Esaad Younis) who can’t put up with his irresponsible lifestyle anymore.
Hatem Rasheed (Khaled El Sawy ), the respectable half-French, half-Egyptian editor-in-chief of a big magazine who’s secretly homosexual.
Taha Al Shazli (Mohamed Imam), the doorman’s son, whose dreams to become a police officer are shattered because of his dad’s job, and his childhood sweetheart, Bosayna (Hend Sabry),
a struggling young girl who’s torn between protecting her honor, and her desperate need for money.
Azzam Beik (Nour El Sherif), the man who rose from rags to riches and hungers for power, and his helpless second wife (Somaya Khashab) whom he married in secret for his own intimate needs.
The movie, contrary to my expectations, is very well done; the setting, the story, but most of all, the acting. All the characters were very well presented, even Adel Imam – who, let’s face it, doesn’t exactly fit the Basha profile – was quite good.
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But the one worth mentioning is Khaled El Desouky’s performance; for the first time in Egyptian film industry a homosexual is presented in a serious and realistic manner.
Finally, the movie was very faithful to the book, without deriving the storyline or altering the characters.
This is definitely the movie this season, and I think everyone should watch
هناك تعليق واحد:
Adel Emam
In 1941 a new star was born in Cairo. It was none other than Adel Emam. As a youngster, Emam participated in theater groups both in school and during his university studies at the Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University. Through the small roles he played as a part time actor, he turned some heads. It was then that the great comedian Fouad El Mohandes chose the young actor for a simple secondary role in the play Ana We Howa We Heya in 1962. In 1966, Emam starred in the comic play El-Nasabeen then went on to El-Pajama El-Hamra in 1967. In the next couple of years the actor managed to land roles in movies like Alragel Dah Haiganneni, Karamet Zawgeti, Afret Mirati and Lossous Wa Lakin Zorafaa.
But the young star’s real break came in 1971 with his leading role in the comic play Madrassat El-Moshaghbeen, which dominated the stage for four years. It then became clear that a new comedian had been born. Emam then appeared alongside Samir Sabry in a leading role in the famous movie Albahth An Fediha in 1973. He then outdid himself in the movie Sabrine and another play in 1975; Shahed Ma Shafsh Haga. This time people could not get enough of the play to the extent that it remained on stage for seven years.
In 1979, the comedian had a busy year and released several hit movies; Khalli Balak Min Giranak, Ragab Fawk Safih Sakhen and Katel Ma Katalsh Had. In 1980, the star also presented his growing audience with three new films; Azkeyaa Wa Laken Aghbeyaa, Algaheem and Ragol Fakaad Akloh. Two years later he teamed up with the glamorous Leblebah in Esabet Hamada Wa Tutu and then with Youssra in Ala Bab Al Wazir. Then came 1983 and again Emam was more than ready to dazzle his audience with four amazing movies; Hob Fi Al-Zinzana, Khamsa Bab, Antar Shayel Seifou and Wala Min Shaf Wala Min Deri. As for the theater, it was also dominated by this gifted and popular star as his play El-Wad Sayed Al-Shaghal ran from 1985 to 1993.
During that time, the next comedy; Ehtaress Min Al-Khott hit the silver screen and was followed by Al-Avocato, Hata La Yateer Al-Dokhan, Ana Elli Katalt Al-Hanash and Khalli Balak Men Aklak. Other master pieces were soon to follow as movies like Zowg Taht El-Talab, Al-Nimr Wa Al-Ontha, El-Moulid, Geziret Al-Shaitan, Al-Lei’b Maa Al-Koubar, Elerhab Wal Kabab, Al-Mansi, and Al-Irhabi came to further ensure the talents of this already esteemed actor. The great comedian’s fame grew even more rapidly with the release of Bekhit Wa Adila Part One and Two, Teyour Al-Zalam, Al-Nom Fi Al-Assal, Risala Ila Al-Wali, Al wad Mahrous Betaa’ El-Wazir and Amir Al-Zalam. Emam’s latest plays include Al-Za’eem and Bodyguard that is currently showing in Al-Haram Theater. Also showing in the movie theaters nowadays is Arees Men Geha Amneya in which the Emam – a United Nations Good Will Ambassador - excels and outdoes his success in his previous movie Altagrouba Al-Denmarkeya.
As for his personal life, Adel Emam is happily married and is a father of three children. His son, Ramy Emam, has already started to follow his father’s footsteps in showbiz, taking the road of film directing.
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