Cairo Station

Youssef Chahine’s masterpiece holds a mirror up to toxic masculinity and Egyptian society.

Considered to be Chahine’s masterpiece, Cairo Station was so sharply on point that the film was reviled by many on initial release. Its dark genius lies in the mood it creates, while remaining keenly attuned to the complexity of human emotion and desire. The film is also charged by undercurrents of toxic masculinity, particularly through Chahine’s portrayal of Kenawi.