Time to Finish the Building, by the Al Jazeera Documentary Channel         

(Qatar, 52 min) Documentary

Plot summary: Hassan Fathy’s name forms an essential part of the tale of Egypt’s cultural history and the history of world architecture. His work is known for employing a sustainable form of architecture created in accordance with the surrounding environment, using local resources while meeting the needs of inhabitants. This documentary, the only biographical film that exists about the architect, introduces this personage in his own era, with unique footage of Fathy within his own setting, and with various testimonials from disciples and friends who shared his work and intellectual concerns.

Screening held with the collaboration of: Al Jazeera Documentary Channel.

Nasser 56, by Mohammad Fadel 

(Egypt, 1996, 142 min.) Fiction

Synopsis: The movie recreates the early years of the Egyptian leader’s presidency, focusing on his most relevant political act: the Suez Canal’s nationalization in 1956. The film accurately shows Nasser’s speeches and work habits, while also portraying his relationships with his aides and family members.

The Earth [Al-Ard] by Youssef Chahine

(Egypt, 1969, 130 min.) Fiction.

Plot summary: Under the monarchy in the 1930s, the peasants in a Nile Delta village live peacefully until one day when the stipulated irrigation quotas, long insufficient, are modified and reduced from ten to five days to favor the feudal landowners. As a result of this decision, hidden underlying conflicts rise to the surface within the community, which rallies around Abu Sualem, an old peasant respected by everyone. A riot breaks out but is violently repressed by the authorities.

Struggle in the Valley  [Seraa Fil Wadi] by Youssef Chahine

(Egypt, 1954, 105 min.) Fiction.

Plot summary: The film is a snapshot showing various aspects of the stark class differences in pre-revolutionary Egypt. Ahmad returns home after earning his degree as an agricultural engineer, filled with hopes and plans to increase sugarcane production and bring prosperity to his village, located near Luxor in southern Egypt. In the end, this young engineer manages to offer a major sugar company a product that might be able to compete with the crops grown on the Pasha’s farmlands. Along with his nephew Riyad, the Pasha conspires to flood the village’s fields and spoil the local peasants’ crops. Shortly after the villagers admit their involvement in the flood conspiracy, the Pasha plots to assassinate the local village leader and then blames Ahmad’s father, who is jailed, tried and then hanged.

Time to Finish the Building, by the Al Jazeera Documentary Channel         

(Qatar, 52 min) Documentary

Plot summary: Hassan Fathy’s name forms an essential part of the tale of Egypt’s cultural history and the history of world architecture. His work is known for employing a sustainable form of architecture created in accordance with the surrounding environment, using local resources while meeting the needs of inhabitants. This documentary, the only biographical film that exists about the architect, introduces this personage in his own era, with unique footage of Fathy within his own setting, and with multiple testimonials from disciples and friends who shared his work and intellectual concerns.

Screening held with the collaboration of: Al Jazeera Documentary Channel 

The Earth [Al-Ard] by Youssef Chahine

(Egypt, 1969, 130 min.) Fiction.

Plot summary: Under the monarchy in the 1930s, the peasants in a Nile Delta village live peacefully until one day when the stipulated irrigation quotas, long insufficient, are modified and reduced from ten to five days to favor the feudal landowners. As a result of this decision, hidden underlying conflicts rise to the surface within the community, which rallies around Abu Sualem, an old peasant respected by everyone. A riot breaks out but is violently repressed by the authorities.

Struggle in the Valley  [Seraa Fil Wadi] by Youssef Chahine

(Egypt, 1954, 105 min.) Fiction.

Plot summary: The film is a snapshot showing various aspects of the stark class differences in pre-revolutionary Egypt. Ahmad returns home after earning his degree as an agricultural engineer, filled with hopes and plans to increase sugarcane production and bring prosperity to his village, located near Luxor in southern Egypt. In the end, this young engineer manages to offer a major sugar company a product that might be able to compete with the crops grown on the Pasha’s farmlands. Along with his nephew Riyad, the Pasha conspires to flood the village’s fields and spoil the local peasants’ crops. Shortly after the villagers admit their involvement in the flood conspiracy, the Pasha plots to assassinate the local village leader and then blames Ahmad’s father, who is jailed, tried and then hanged.

Time to Finish the Building, by the Al Jazeera Documentary Channel         

(Qatar, 52 min) Documentary

Plot summary: Hassan Fathy’s name forms an essential part of the tale of Egypt’s cultural history and the history of world architecture. His work is known for employing a sustainable form of architecture created in accordance with the surrounding environment, using local resources while meeting the needs of inhabitants. This documentary, the only biographical film that exists about the architect, introduces this personage in his own era, with unique footage of Fathy within his own setting, and with multiple testimonials from disciples and friends who shared his work and intellectual concerns.

(Egypt, 1969, 130 min.) Fiction.

Plot summary: Under the monarchy in the 1930s, the peasants in a Nile Delta village live peacefully until one day when the stipulated irrigation quotas, long insufficient, are modified and reduced from ten to five days to favor the feudal landowners. As a result of this decision, hidden underlying conflicts rise to the surface within the community, which rallies around Abu Sualem, an old peasant respected by everyone. A riot breaks out but is violently repressed by the authorities.

(Egypt, 1954, 105 min.) Fiction.

Plot summary: The film is a snapshot showing various aspects of the stark class differences in pre-revolutionary Egypt. Ahmad returns home after earning his degree as an agricultural engineer, filled with hopes and plans to increase sugarcane production and bring prosperity to his village, located near Luxor in southern Egypt. In the end, this young engineer manages to offer a major sugar company a product that might be able to compete with the crops grown on the Pasha’s farmlands. Along with his nephew Riyad, the Pasha conspires to flood the village’s fields and spoil the local peasants’ crops. Shortly after the villagers admit their involvement in the flood conspiracy, the Pasha plots to assassinate the local village leader and then blames Ahmad’s father, who is jailed, tried and then hanged.

Nasser 56, by Mohammad Fadel 

(Egypt, 1996, 142 min.) Fiction

Plot summary: The movie recreates the early years of the Egyptian leader’s presidency, focusing on his most relevant political act: the Suez Canal’s nationalization in 1956. The film accurately shows Nasser’s speeches and work habits, while also portraying his relationships with his aides and family members.

The Earth [Al-Ard] by Youssef Chahine

(Egypt, 1969, 130 min.) Fiction.

Plot summary: Under the monarchy in the 1930s, the peasants in a Nile Delta village live peacefully until one day when the stipulated irrigation quotas, long insufficient, are modified and reduced from ten to five days to favor the feudal landowners. As a result of this decision, hidden underlying conflicts rise to the surface within the community, which rallies around Abu Sualem, an old peasant respected by everyone. A riot breaks out but is violently repressed by the authorities.

Struggle in the Valley  [Seraa Fil Wadi] by Youssef Chahine

(Egypt, 1954, 105 min.) Fiction.

Plot summary: The film is a snapshot showing various aspects of the stark class differences in pre-revolutionary Egypt. Ahmad returns home after earning his degree as an agricultural engineer, filled with hopes and plans to increase sugarcane production and bring prosperity to his village, located near Luxor in southern Egypt. In the end, this young engineer manages to offer a major sugar company a product that might be able to compete with the crops grown on the Pasha’s farmlands. Along with his nephew Riyad, the Pasha conspires to flood the village’s fields and spoil the local peasants’ crops. Shortly after the villagers admit their involvement in the flood conspiracy, the Pasha plots to assassinate the local village leader and then blames Ahmad’s father, who is jailed, tried and then hanged.