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Event
Nazra: Alexandria...Why?
Eyes Wide Open Cinema presents the first screening of our season Nazra: Queer Lives in Arab Cinema. This screening is also in association with Scalarama Brighton and Beyond.
Wednesday 5 September. Fabrica Gallery, Brighton.
Doors 7.00pm. Start 7.30pm.
ALEXANDRIA...WHY?
Director: Youssef Chahine | Egypt | 1979 | 133 minutes
In Arabic and English with English subtitles.
Youssef Chahine was one of the most influential voices in Egyptian cinema history. Alexandria...Why? is Chahines semi-autobiographical melodrama set in the tumult of 1940s Egypt. Young cinephile Yahia dreams of a life in Hollywood or on the theatre stage, but the threat of war in Europe and the rumblings of Egypts nascent anti-colonial struggle set to thwart these hopes. Meanwhile, in a notably subversive - but also tender - representation for its time, an an Egyptian aristocrat finds himself falling for a precocious British soldier he has captured.
Alexandria...Why? is not only an underseen gem of Egyptian cinema, but a testament to the sensitive and nuanced ways in which queer desire has been represented in the work of one of Arab cinemas biggest names.
+ short film
HALF A LIFE
Director: Tamara Shogaolu | Egypt/Indonesia/USA/Netherlands | 2017 | 12 minutes
In Arabic with English subtitles.
This animated short documentary pairs the intimate narration of a young, Egyptian gay activist with highly stylised animation, bringing the streets of Cairo to life through his firsthand account. He shares a traumatising encounter that prompted him to become a queer rights activist in Egypts unstable, increasingly dangerous and oppressive social climate.
plus a Skype Q&A with Dr Samar Habib
Dr Habib is an expert of international standing on gender and sexuality, and is the author of books and articles on same-sex love and desire among women in the Arab world and the juncture of Islam and homosexuality.
We have a limited amount of tickets available for free for those who cannot afford the regular ticket price. Please email tickets@eyeswideopencinema.co.uk to reserve these.
This event has been made possible by BFI's Film Audience Network, with the support of The National Lottery.
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LocationFabrica Gallery (View)
40 Duke Street
Brighton BN1 1AG
United Kingdom
Categories
| Minimum Age: 18 |
| Kid Friendly: No |
| Dog Friendly: No |
| Non-Smoking: Yes! |
| Wheelchair Accessible: Yes! |
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