Directed by Youssef Chahine • 1985 • Egypt
Starring Michel Piccoli, Mohsen Mohieddin, Mohamed Atef
Youssef Chahine’s rich and nuanced exploration of culture clash and connection centers on Napoleon’s occupation of Egypt at the turn of the nineteenth century and the complex relationship that develops between two Arab brothers (Mohsen Mohieddin and Mohamad Atef) and the gay French general Cafarelli (Michel Piccoli, playing one of many fascinating queer characters populating Chahine’s films). Featuring stunning cinematography and a striking performance from Patrice Chéreau as Napoleon, ADIEU BONAPARTE balances historical and political sweep with a very human exploration of the emotional, sexual, and intellectual dimensions of colonialism.
Up Next in Directed by Youssef Chahine
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Alexandria . . . Why?
Directed by Youssef Chahine • 1979 • Egypt
Starring Naglaa Fathi, Mahmoud el-Meliguy, Farid ShawqiHaving spent the larger part of the 1960s and ’70s examining the rise and fall of Egypt’s first republic, director Youssef Chahine turned inwards with this kaleidoscopic, semi-autobiographical evo...
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Alexandria: Again and Forever
Directed by Youssef Chahine • 1989 • Egypt
Starring Youssra, Hussein Fahmy, Youssef ChahineThe third installment in a series of four films Youssef Chahine made exploring his own life and times, ALEXANDRIA: AGAIN AND FOREVER stars the director himself as Yehia, a filmmaker whose planned HAMLET ...
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An Egyptian Story
Directed by Youssef Chahine • 1982 • Egypt
Starring Nour el-Sherif, Youssra, Soheir el-BablyA continuation of the self-exploration Youssef Chahine began with ALEXANDRIA . . . WHY?, this second autobiographical film unfolds as a surreal profusion of memories, fantasies, flashbacks, and hallucin...
