‘Al-Karnak’ Tops List of 100 Best Political Films in Egypt

The Alexandria Mediterranean Countries Film Festival has announced the results of a poll conducted by the Egyptian Film Writers and Critics Association to select the 100 best political films in the history of Egyptian cinema. The poll, led by critic Mervat Omar and supervised by association president Amir Abaza, included the participation of 41 critics from Egypt and the Arab world, with ‘Al-Karnak’ (1975) - produced and written by Mamdouh El-Leithy - topping the list. ‘Al-Karnak’ was directed by Ali Badrakhan and is based on a novel by Naguib Mahfouz. Set in the 1960s, it centres on a group of university students who gather at a café called El-Karnak and are later arrested and tortured under fabricated charges. The cast includes Soad Hosny (Zeinab Diab), Nour El-Sherif (Ismail El-Sheikh), Mohamed Sobhy (Halim Ghaleb), Kamal El-Shennawy (Khaled Safwan), Sherif Sabry, Ali El-Sherif, and Farid Shawky. The film was noted for its portrayal of a specific historical period and generated public debate upon its release. The other films in the top ten list also include: 'Al Baree’ (1986), ‘Shey’ Men Al Khawf’ (1969), ‘Ehna Betoaa’ El-Autobees’ (1979), ‘Fi Baytina Ragol’ (1961), ‘Tuyour El-Zalam’ (1995), ‘Al-Irhab Wel Kebab’ (1992), ‘Al Asfour’ (1974), ‘Ghoroub W Shorouq’ (1970), and ‘Al Qahera 30’ (1966).