Personal Info
Birth date
1926-01-25 (99 Years)
Day of death
2008-07-27
Gender
Male
Known for
Directing
Place of birth
Alexandria, Egypt
Also known as
يوسف شاهين
Юсеф Шахин
Youssef Chahine
Youssef Chahine
Biography
Youssef Chahine (born in Alexandria, Egypt, 1926) started studying in a friars' school and then turned to Victoria College until High School Certificate. After one year at the University of Alexandria, he moved to the U.S. and spent two years at the Pasadena Play House, taking courses on film and dramatic arts. After coming back to Egypt, cinematographer Alevise Orfanelli helped him into the film business. His film debut was Baba Amin (1950): one year later, with Son of the Nile (1951) he was first invited to the Cannes Film festival. In 1970, he was awarded a Golden Tanit at the Carthage Festival. With Le moineau (1973), he directed the first Egypt-Algeria co-production. He won a Silver Bear in Berlin for Alexandria... Why? (1979), the first installment in what proved to be an autobiographic trilogy, completed with Hadduta Masriya (1982)(An Egyptian Story (1982)) and Alexandria: Again and Forever (1989). In 1992, Jacques Lassalle proposed him to stage a piece of his choice for Comédie Française: Chahine chose to adapt Albert Camus' "Caligula," which proved hugely successful. The same year he started writing The Emigrant (1994), a story inspired by the Biblical character of Joseph, son of Jacob. This had long been a dream project, and he finally got to shoot it in 1994. In 1997, 46 years and 5 invitations later, he was again selected Hors Competition in Cannes with Destiny (1997).
Filmography
The Story of Film: An Odyssey
7.59
Overview:
A worldwide guided tour of the greatest movies ever made and the story of international cinema through the history of cinematic innovation.Saladin the Victorious
7.5
Overview:
The first Sultan of Egypt and Syria leads the Muslim military campaign against the invading Christians from Europe during the Third Crusade.Alexandria Again and Forever
4.7
Overview:
Set in 1987 against the backdrop of a hunger strike by the Egyptian film industry, Chahine himself steps in to play Yehia, the famed Egyptian director whose life is chronicled in "Alexandria, Why?" and "An Egyptian Story". Obsessed with Amr, the handsome actor he discovered and cast as his alter-ego in parts one and two of The Alexandria Trilogy, Yehia pressures Amr to star in various film projects that change even as Yehia's perception of the young actor begins to change. He first casts Amr as Hamlet, which the actor deems too demanding for his talents, then as the lead in a musical biopic of demigod Alexander the Great, who founded the city of Alexandria in 332 B.C.To Each His Own Cinema
6.5
Overview:
Commissioned to mark the 60th anniversary of the Cannes Film Festival, "To Each His Own Cinema" brought together 33 of the world's pre-eminent filmmakers to produce short pieces exploring the multifarious facets of cinema and their perspective on the state of their chosen artform in the early 21st century.Cairo Station
7.4
Overview:
Qinawi, a physically challenged peddler who makes his living selling newspapers in the central Cairo train station, is obsessed with Hanuma, an attractive young woman who sells drinks. While she jokes with him about a possible relationship, she is actually in love with Abu Siri, a strong and respected porter at the station who is struggling to unionize his fellow workers to combat their boss' exploitative and abusive treatment.The Blazing Sun
7
Overview:
A wealthy landlord floods and destroys a village on purpose to prevent the people living there from making a profit off their crops. What he doesn't know is that his own daughter, Amal, is in love with Ahmed, a young man from the village.Lumière & Company
6.276
Overview:
40 international directors were asked to make a short film using the original Cinematographe invented by the Lumière Brothers, working under conditions similar to those of 1895. There were three rules: (1) The film could be no longer than 52 seconds, (2) no synchronized sound was permitted, and (3) no more than three takes.Alexandria… Why?
6.2
Overview:
Amid the poverty, death, and suffering caused by World War II, 18-year-old Yehia retreats into a private world of fantasy and longing. Obsessed with Hollywood, he dreams of studying filmmaking in America but struggles to pursue his dream, given the constraints of his life in the middle class and the horrors of war.11’09”01—September 11
6.4
Overview:
Filmmakers from all over the world provide short films – each of which is eleven minutes, nine seconds, and one frame of film in length – that offer differing perspectives on the 9/11 terrorist attacks.An Egyptian Story
6.3
Overview:
After we last see him in "Alexandria, Why?" Egyptian filmmaker Yehia Mourad is in his thirties, and successful in his work, he has grown distant from his wife and children and suffers a symbolic blockage of the heart while shooting the final scenes of his latest film. After being flown to England for evaluation, it's determined that Yehia must undergo emergency surgery. Fact and fiction blend seamlessly—with healthy doses of cleverly absurdist fantasy—as the film explores the various personalities and forces that have made Yehia (and Youssef Chahine) the man he has become.Destiny
6.8
Overview:
In the 12th century's Andalusia lives Ibn Rushd a prominent Islamic philosopher with his wife Zeinab and daughter Salma. The principality is ruled by Khalifa ElMansour who has two sons, ElNasser, an intellectual that likes Ibn Rush and is in love with his daughter Salma. The younger son Abdallah is more into dancing and poetry, spending most of his times with the gypsy family and getting the daughter pregnant. The Khalifa is depending on the extremists to build his army granting them more power which they use to combat artists and philosophers. The extremists succeed in recruiting Abd Allah and train him to kill his father. Events go on where Marawan, the gypsy singer, is killed and Ibn Rushd's books are burnt. Adapted from the real life of Ibn Rushd AlMasir is Chahine's statement against extremism.Dark Waters
6.2
Overview:
Ragab, a poor sailor, returns home to Alexandria after three years of absence, during which he tried to save money to marry his one true love, Hamedah. But there's trouble on the harbor, and with an old friend.The Emigrant
5.9
Overview:
The biblical tale of Joseph is told from an Egyptian perspective in this interesting character study. In this film, Joseph is called Ram. Ram, tired of his family's backward superstitious life, and tired of being picked on by his brothers, wants to go to Egypt to study agriculture. His brothers travel with him across Sinai, but then suddenly sell him to Ozir, an Egyptian who works for a Theban military leader, Amihar. Amihar is impressed by Ram's drive and personal charm and so grants Ram some desolate land outside the capital. Ram soon finds himself a pawn in the political and sexual games between Amihar and his wife Simihit, a high priestess of the Cult of Amun.Return of the Prodigal Son
6.3
Overview:
Freed after spending years in prison, an activist's homecoming turns into a dark affair as his disillusion clashes with his family's expectations. Demonstrating Chahine’s eclecticism, this is an elegant melodrama, exuberant musical, layered allegory, and profound portrait of personal and political disillusionment.Adieu Bonaparte
5.8
Overview:
This big-budget historical epic from acclaimed Egyptian director Youssef Chahine features a crazed turn by Patrice Chereau as Napoleon Bonaparte. The film, an Egyptian-French co-production, deals with Napoleon's occupation of Alexandria and its effect on a typical Egyptian family. Michel Piccoli leads the cast as a general in Napoleon's army who tentatively befriends a local poet.The Sixth Day
4.8
Overview:
Egypt, 1947: in the midst of a cholera outbreak. A washerwoman tries to take care of her family, while at the same time resisting the advances of a charming suitor who's half her age.Jamila, the Algerian
7
Overview:
Djamila, a young Algerian woman living with her brother Hadi and her uncle Mustafa in the Casbah district of Algiers under the French occupation of Algeria, sees the full extent of injustice, tyranny and cruelty on his compatriots by French soldiers. Jamila's nationalist spirit will be strengthened when French forces invade her university to arrest her classmate Amina who commits suicide by ingesting poison. Shortly after the prominent Algerian guerrilla leader Youssef takes refuge with her, she realizes that her uncle Mustafa is part of this network of anti-colonial rebel fighters. Her uncle linked her to the National Liberation Front (FLN). A series of events illustrate Jamila's participation in resistance operations against the occupier before she was finally captured and tortured. Finally, despite the efforts of her French lawyer, Jamila is sentenced to death...Farewell, Love
7.5
Overview:
Navy officer Wahid arrives in a military hospital, with a kidney failure, his days are numbered. The inmates try to cheer him up , while his nurse gets closer to him, and soon kindness turns to love.The Land
8.3
Overview:
Set in 1933, the mayor informs the peasants that the share of irrigation of their land will be split equally between them and feudal lord Mahmoud Bey. The peasants send Mohamed Effendi to submit a petition to the government. Mahmoud Bey then proposes a project that would require taking part of the peasants' lands.The Other
5.9
Overview:
Adam is the son of a wealthy Egyptian-American family who is studying at UCLA and returns home for a brief vacation. Upon his arrival he meets beautiful reporter Hanane, with whom he begins an intense love affair, and eventually they marry. Trouble arises when Hanane' s journalistic interests lead her to the corrupt business affairs of Adam's parents, who are interested in building an American tourist compound that would allow Americans further control of Egypt's tourist industry, and make them a whole lot richer.Ouija
4.6
Overview:
Two strangers try to solve a mystery that revolves around both of their tragic pasts. At the heart of the mystery lies a mystic board with an ability to kill.The Nile and the Life
5.5
Overview:
Renegotiating the representational paradigm of nationhood the film draws a heterogeneous picture of Egyptian society as well as Soviet workers as they embarked on the momentous dam enterprise. The films presents a vision of a nation deep rooted in unity as well as diversity. The films projection of a renewed imagining of the nation inadvertently acknowledges a new and nuanced understanding of its goals, political objectives, and how these impact the personal within it. (KHOURI)My One And Only Love
7.5
Overview:
Farid is forced to marry his cousin, Yasmina, after their uncle leaves them a big inheritance, provided that the two get married. They decide to get married on paper and separate after receiving the inheritance, but during the honeymoon in Aswan,they fall in love with each other.The Great Clown
NYR
Overview:
Shehata Effendi is a clerk for a wealthy woman who is in dispute with her husband. Her husband divorced her a third time, so they resort to Shehata to marry her. Then the wealthy wife dies and he inherits her fortune, prompting him to think of marrying his old neighbor Asrar.Ismail Yassine in the Air Force
7.5
Overview:
Ismail El Ghandoor works as a stuntman and a small time actor in movies. He falls in love with a young belly dancer, Soheir who dreams of being the wife of a pilot. Ismail dresses up in his brother Hussein’s clothes as a pilot in the force while his brother is away on his honeymoon. When Hussein returns the truth is revealed, and each of them goes back to his real job. Will Soheir accept the real Ismail or will she continue to pursue her dream of marrying a pilot?Son of the Nile
7.091
Overview:
Hemaidah is a Farmer who hates country life. He hates working in fields and taking care of the animals in his farm. Though unsatisfied with her, he marries Zebeidah, a woman in the same village.Chaos, This Is?
7.22
Overview:
Hatem is a corrupt police officer, who loves his neighbor Nour, who in turn loves the prosecutor, Sherif. Hatem tries to win Nour’s attention even if by force.Alexandria... New York
6.6
Overview:
An enthralling look at the relationship between America and the Arab World from an Arab perspective. It tells the story of Yehia, a renowned Egyptian filmmaker whose life has been shaped by a pair of disrupted love affairs, one with an American woman named Ginger, the other with America itself.Acting
2019Let's Talk as Self (archive footage)
2019Into Studio Masr as Self
2011The Story of Film: An Odyssey (2 Episodes) as Self
2006Ouija as Unknown
2002Women Who Loved Cinema as Self
2000Kiarostami in Close up as as Self
1998Concerto in Darb Saada as Unknown
1991Cairo as Told by Youssef Chahine as Self
1989Alexandria Again and Forever as Yehia Eskendarany / Marc Antoine / Sostratus / Hephaestion
1987Matin Bonheur (1 Episode) as Self
1987Trio as Self
1987Arab Camera as Self
1986The Sixth Day as Rafah
1982An Egyptian Story as Old Yehia
1981Cinématon XIV as N°133
1974Spécial cinéma (1 Episode) as Self
1964Dawn of a New Day as Hamada
1959Ismail Yassine in the Air Force as Unknown
1958Cairo Station as Qinawi
1953Women Without Men as Unknown
Directing
2007Chaos, This Is? ... Director
2007To Each His Own Cinema ... Director
200747 Years Later ... Director
2004Alexandria... New York ... Director
200211’09”01—September 11 ... Director
2001Silence... We're Rolling ... Director
1999The Other ... Director
1997Destiny ... Director
1995Lumière & Company ... Director
1994The Emigrant ... Director
1991Cairo as Told by Youssef Chahine ... Director
1989Alexandria Again and Forever ... Director
1986The Sixth Day ... Director
1985Adieu Bonaparte ... Director
1982An Egyptian Story ... Director
1979Alexandria… Why? ... Director
1976Return of the Prodigal Son ... Director
1974The Sparrow ... Director
1972People and the Nile ... Director
1971The Choice ... Director
1971Sands of Gold ... Director
1970The Land ... Director
1968The Nile and the Life ... Director
1965The Ring Seller ... Director
1964Dawn of a New Day ... Director
1963Saladin the Victorious ... Director
1961A Man in My Life ... Director
1960Lovers' Call ... Director
1960In Your Hands ... Director
1959Forever Yours ... Director
1958Jamila, the Algerian ... Director
1958Cairo Station ... Director
1957My One And Only Love ... Director
1956Farewell, Love ... Director
1956Dark Waters ... Director
1954The Devil of the Desert ... Director
1954The Blazing Sun ... Director
1953Women Without Men ... Director
1952The Lady on the Train ... Director
1952The Great Clown ... Director
1951Son of the Nile ... Director
1950Baba Amin ... Director
Production
2007Chaos, This Is? ... Producer
2001Silence... We're Rolling ... Producer
1999The Other ... Producer
1994The Emigrant ... Producer
1982An Egyptian Story ... Producer
1979Alexandria… Why? ... Producer
1978Shafiqa and Metwally ... Producer
1977The Water-Carrier Is Dead ... Producer
1976Return of the Prodigal Son ... Producer
1974The Sparrow ... Producer
Writing
2004Alexandria... New York ... Writer
200211’09”01—September 11 ... Writer
2001Silence... We're Rolling ... Writer
1999The Other ... Writer
1997Destiny ... Writer
1994The Emigrant ... Writer
1989Alexandria Again and Forever ... Writer
1986The Sixth Day ... Writer
1985Adieu Bonaparte ... Writer
1982An Egyptian Story ... Writer
1979Alexandria… Why? ... Writer
1976Return of the Prodigal Son ... Writer
1974The Sparrow ... Writer
1971The Choice ... Writer
1971Sands of Gold ... Writer
1968The Nile and the Life ... Writer
1963Saladin the Victorious ... Screenplay
1956Dark Waters ... Screenplay, Story
1954The Devil of the Desert ... Screenplay
1953Women Without Men ... Writer
1952The Lady on the Train ... Screenplay
1952The Great Clown ... Writer
1951Son of the Nile ... Writer
1950Baba Amin ... Writer