Alexandrie... New York (2004)

Réalisateur:

Youssef Chahine

Scénaristes:

Youssef Chahine (writer)
Khaled Youssef (writer)

Date de sortie:

7 juillet 2004 (France)

Genre:

Drame | Musique | Romance

Intrigue:

Yehia, an Egyptian director from Alexandria goes to New York where he is reunited with Ginger, a women he dated forty years ago.

Plot Keywords:

New York City | Fictional Biography | Father Son Relationship | Character Name In Title

Avis des utilisateurs:

Moving, captivating, complex... but accessible !

Ensemble

Mahmoud Hemida	...	Yehia (old) (as Mahmoud Hemeida)
Ahmed Yehia	...	Yehia (young) / Alexander
Youssra	...	Ginger (old)
Yousra El Lozy	...	Ginger (young)
Lebleba	...	Jeannie
Hala Sedki	...	Bonnie
Magda El-Khatib	...	Shanewise (as Magda El Khatib)
Nelly Karim	...	Carmen
Mohamed Hasabo
Sanaa Younes	...	La concierge
Soad Nasr	...	Zoé
Yousra Selim	...	Bonnie (jeune)
Mahmoud Saad	...	Le directeur du Festival de New York
Mahmoud El Lozy	...	The Dean
Hamdy El Sakhawy	...	Eric

Autre(s) titre(s):

Alexandria... New York (USA)
El ghadab (Egypt: Arabic title)
Iskanderija... New York (Egypt: Arabic title)
Iskinderia... New York (El ghadab) (Egypt: Arabic title)

Durée:

128 min

Pays:

Egypt | France

Langue:

Arabe | Anglais

Couleur:

Couleur

Son:

DTS | Dolby SR

Lieux de tournage:

Egypt

Société:

Ognon Pictures

Moving, captivating, complex... but accessible !

"Alexandria...New York" is a sort of rich panoramic summing-up, or a multi-faceted "idealized emotional mirror", of the life of a legendary film director --- fictitious and, at the same time, a double of Mr. Youssef Chahine. Due to a "nest of dolls" plot, it unfolds on many levels: the past (in Alexandria) and the present/future (in New York), the father and the son, the «younger» father and the «older» father, etc. Its length of two hours passes quickly, an indication of its charm.

Despite the title, very little is seen of the two cities (most scenes were shot in the studio), but the "spirit of the places" (according to Lawrence Durrell's expression --- another Alexandria lover with his memorable "Quartet") is always present. Incidentally, Durrell is mentioned in the film.

Mr. Chahine's confidence in his subject is real and justified --- contrary to what certain critics may think. Also, the story of the "hidden and discovered son" is pertinent in relation to the film's overall structure.

In this beautiful film, there is also a lyricism in the score, the touching songs and quite a few well-staged "eastern-western" dances, a good-natured sense of humor, a beauty and a sensuality in certain passages: beautiful faces, sensual and intimate scenes, and, on one occasion, an astonishing although quite modest scene: it is rather rare in the movies to see a woman "adoring" her beloved man's body, starting with his feet !

There is also a little-known excerpt from "Hamlet," a reinterpreted scene from Bizet's "Carmen", an extract from the final scenes of one of Mr. Chahine's first masterpieces (in which he played, himself, an important role), and more.

Despite some rare flaws (a few overexposed scenes, a dark-haired and totally unlikely Rita Hayworth), this film is a great one!

I say it and repeat it: Bravo! Mr. Youssef Gabriel Chahine, you remain young at age 75!