Search - Alexandria Trilogy on DVD

Great quality, at times too much art

AA | Newton, MA United States | 11/22/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I am going to divide my review to three parts, the basic reproduction / packaging, the subtitles and last the actual art:The basic reproduction is good in comparison to any other Egyptian movies you can buy. Good is by no means very good nor excellentThe subtitling is very poor. It is very clear and will help keep non-Arabic speakers in the game, but it is seriously inaccurate and in my view often distorts the meaning of the movie. I was particularly amazed to see things like "damn you all" being translated into "fxxk you all". It is truly absurd to subtitle anger into profanityAs to Youssif Chahine own work, it is very clever, at times way too clever. The symbolism goes to the extreme that you just end up going in circle. See how clever and symbolic I can beThe presentation of the gay side of Mourad is certainly brave, but does not seem to be much more than a "dare" game, often it is unclear why it is there and what impact does it have on the whole thing, except for possibly the middle filmAs to the camera work, direction, music, acting etc. it is all excellent, well above anything else coming out of Egypt in the last 25 years or so. The real shame is to be the only really good moviemaker in Egypt and to use this to make such narrow movies with too much symbolism.At any rate, make no mistake about it this is great stuff"

Artistic and insightful

Isis S. Mikhail | Birmingham, Alabama USA | 03/05/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is the second part of Chahine's Alexandria Trilogy. The first part "Alexandria, why?" is a biography and courageous self-examination of his adolescent years. This part moves on to examine his adult life. It is, again, a very courageous, honest, and insightful self-trial of himself as an adult and his choices in his professional life as a movie director, as well as in his personal and family life. His artistic talents as a director and his creative thinking are reflected in his representation of his turbulent relationship with his inner child. This is another distinguished piece of work by this talented movie director and a must-have for those who appreciate his art."

Mix of styles worth your time

Isis S. Mikhail | 07/26/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"An interesting mix of the struggles of an independent international filmmaker, combining surrealism and recent Egyptian history.
There are elements of "8 1/2" and "All That Jazz" in the story of a film maker who faces a trial in which the child and young man he was testify against the person he has become. The surrealist settings are cheap but fun and the central performance is nicely done. The many characters and switches in time are a bit complex and it helps to have a little knowledge of modern Egyptian history, but there is humor and insight worth your time."

One of the best contemporary of the Egyptian cinema

tycoonsherif | Cairo Egypt | 09/21/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This trilogy is one of the best contemporary movies of the last 2 decades....with the very special touch of acclamed director Yousef Chahin.The cast of all 3 movies is great with outstanding preformence the crew is the most respected & professional poeple in the field...Therfore making theese 3 movies a must see & see again for any cinema lover. If u like arabic cinema....u must own it."