“I could have come up with many more programmes. Many of the popular Egyptian movies an entire region, that people around the Arab world grew up watching for half a century, would not constitute prestige cinema for the West. We want to challenge that.”
‘A Literary Journey Through Arab Cinema’
The latest issue of Banipal magazine -- 62 -- focuses on the relationship between literature and Arab cinema.
Teaching with Arabic Literature in Translation: Pairing Arabic Literature and Film
"Iraq is just one example, but there are so many corners of this thing we call 'Arabic Literature' that are worthy of more attention than they get. I hope that we will see more of this literature make its way into university reading lists."
Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You? Film Adaptation of Ibrahim Essa’s ‘The Televangelist’
According to Variety, the film -- which opened in Egypt yesterday -- is "certain to be one of the most discussed movies in the territory."
Mulberry Films Buys Rights to Basma Abdel Aziz’s ‘The Queue’
"Other Mulberry Films productions include The Piano Tuner, adapted from a novel by Daniel Mason, Dromos, an adaptation of Massimo Carlotto’s Respiro Corto, and Purple America, an adaptation of a book by Rick Moody."
18 Classic Arab and Arabic Book-to-Film Translations
Taken from our Friday Films series, these have been narrowed to the classic book-film combinations where the film can be watched (for free) online.
Friday Films: ‘The Collar and the Bracelet,’ Based on a Novella by Yahya Taher
"The Collar and the Bracelet, which has been beautifully translated by Samah Selim, was also translated to film by Khairy Beshara in 1986 and named one of the Best 15 Films of the Last 100 Years, as chosen by 20 critics. "
Friday Films: ‘The Water Carrier is Dead’ and ‘Land of Hypocrisy,’ Based on Novels by Yusuf al-Sibai
The 1977 film was directed by Salah Abu Seif and won "Best Film of the Year" from the Egyptian Film Association.
Friday Films: ‘The Open Door,’ Based on a Novel by Latifa Zayyat
"It’s set during al-Zayyat's first political awakening, in the decade post-WWII."
Friday Films: ‘The Mountain,’ Based on a Novel by Fathi Ghanem
The film was released in 1965, directed by Khalil Shawki and starring Samira Ahmed.
Book-to-screen: New This Ramadan
"In any case, the project stars Mona Zaki."
Friday Films: ‘A Touch of Fear,’ Based on a Novella by Tharwat Abaza
"This weeks film is "A Touch of Fear" (1969), based on a novella of the same name by Egyptian "Knight of the Arabic Novel" Tharwat Abaza."
