The Arabist

The Arabist

By Issandr El Amrani and friends.

Chahine's hell

An excerpt from an interview with legendary Egyptian director Youssef Chahine in a German magazine, translated on copts-united.com:

SZ: Is it difficult to find actors?

Chahine: No. I find them in Parliament. When they meet there is great applause. If I need a crowd for an opera scene, I will wait until Parliament is off so that I can get these professional applauders.

SZ: What are you working on now?

Chahine: I am currently working on a film and trying to censor myself. It is a Faustus theme, a comedy, that takes place in hell.

SZ: What does hell look like?

Chahine: More or less like Egypt.