This film is currently unavailable
Alexandria... Why?
A boisterous and brilliant autobiographical reflection set during the Second World War.
Director: Youssef Chahine
Overview
During the Second World War, teenage Yehia dreams of studying cinema while his quirky family, living atop a theatre, endure air raids by playing backgammon and eating ice cream. The first instalment of Chahine’s semi-autobiographical trilogy interweaves the personal with the philosophical and a critique of Western imperialism.
Related
Police Story Police Story
Martial arts 1985 101 mins Director: Jackie Chan
Jackie Chan's mind-blowing, high-octane extravaganza of death-defying stunts and action comedy.
The New Boy The New Boy
Drama 2023 96 mins Director: Warwick Thornton
Cate Blanchett is mesmerising as a feverish nun, in Warwick Thornton’s striking tale of spiritual worlds colliding in 1940s Australia.
Jesus' Son Jesus' Son
Drama 1999 108 mins Director: Alison Maclean
Billy Crudup stars as a young drifter who gets hooked on heroin in this star-studded story of addiction, recovery and redemption.
Point Break Point Break
Action and Adventure 1991 122 mins Director: Kathryn Bigelow
Kathryn Bigelow’s pulse-pounding action thriller and heady bromance, with Keanu Reeves and Patrick Swayze.
Beasts Clawing at Straws Beasts Clawing at Straws
Crime 2022 109 mins Director: Kim Yong-hoon
The lives of ten strangers collide when a cleaner finds a bag stuffed with money in this slick, jet-black comedy that unspools like a Korean Pulp Fiction. Starring Academy Award winner Yuh-Jung Youn (Minari).
Run Lola Run Run Lola Run
Drama 1998 80 mins Director: Tom Tykwer
Tom Tykwer’s breathtaking time-loop thriller, with a terrific Franka Potente as the titular runner attempting to save her boyfriend.
Let's Talk Let's Talk
Documentary 2021 99 mins Director: Marianne Khoury
An exploration of identity, as told by the women in the family of the great Egyptian filmmaker, Youssef Chahine.
The Land The Land
Drama 1969 134 mins Director: Youssef Chahine
Chahine’s ode to the earth is considered his masterwork.
Cairo Station Cairo Station
Drama 1958 77 mins Director: Youssef Chahine
Youssef Chahine’s masterpiece holds a mirror up to toxic masculinity and Egyptian society.
Dawn of a New Day Dawn of a New Day
Romance 1964 136 mins Director: Youssef Chahine
A sharp critique of the bourgeoisie, rich with metaphor around social change.
An Egyptian Story An Egyptian Story
Drama 1982 129 mins Director: Youssef Chahine
While on the operating table, Yehia’s child-self goes on trial.
Alexandria, Again and Forever Alexandria, Again and Forever
Fantasy 1990 109 mins Director: Youssef Chahine
A raw autobiographical reflection on creation as a leap of faith.
Police Story Police Story
Martial arts 1985 101 mins Director: Jackie Chan
Jackie Chan's mind-blowing, high-octane extravaganza of death-defying stunts and action comedy.
Hapkido Hapkido
Action and Adventure 1972 98 mins Director: Huang Feng
Two martial arts schools battle it out in Huang Feng’s action classic (aka Lady Kung Fu), starring long term collaborator and combat master, Angela Mao.
Project A Project A
Action and Adventure 1983 106 mins Director: Jackie Chan
Jackie Chan’s rip-roaring action-adventure about a coastguard hot on the trail of a ruthless band of pirates in late 19th century Hong Kong.
China O'Brien China O'Brien
Action and Adventure 1991 91 mins Director: Robert Clouse
Cynthia Rothrock stars as the tough city cop and martial artist on the trail of a local crime boss, in this action classic from the director of Enter the Dragon.
The New Boy The New Boy
Drama 2023 96 mins Director: Warwick Thornton
Cate Blanchett is mesmerising as a feverish nun, in Warwick Thornton’s striking tale of spiritual worlds colliding in 1940s Australia.
Jesus' Son Jesus' Son
Drama 1999 108 mins Director: Alison Maclean
Billy Crudup stars as a young drifter who gets hooked on heroin in this star-studded story of addiction, recovery and redemption.