
Editorial Review:
Amazon.com
The second of Youssef Chahine's autobiographical Alexandria Trilogy takes place largely in the mind of Chahine's cinematic alter ego, Yehia Mourad (Nour El Cherif), or, to be more accurate, his torso. Rushed into emergency open-heart surgery after an on-set heart attack, Yehia is put through a fantasy trial in a courtroom situated in his rib cage (a rather theatrical-looking contraption of white sheets draped over wooden ribs) as he flashes back on his life. Chahine embraces the absurdity of the silly device with fanciful fun (his inner child rebels against the stodgy grownup by crawling through his veins and undoing the surgery) but it's the flashbacks that carry the film's power. Think of it as Chahine's All That Jazz, only less flashy and more thoughtful. The young director struggles within the industry, sacrificing his vision and his politics in commercial compromises, sacrificing his family for his art, still dreaming of Hollywood while toiling in the low-budget environs of Egypt.
Fans of Chahine will recognize startling re-creations of two of his most famous films, Cairo Station and The Sparrow, but you don't need to know his work to feel the strain of his conflicts. Inspired by his real-life bypass surgery and the self reassessment it triggered, Chahine is more critical than you might expect; he forgives himself his sins, naturally, but never quite lets himself off the hook. Followed by Alexandria Again and Forever, which stars Chahine himself as Yehia. --Sean Axmaker
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Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Starring: Donny Osmond , Maria Friedman , Richard Attenborough , Joan Collins , and Christopher Biggins Director: David Mallet Manufacturer: Universal Studios ProductGroup: DVD Binding: DVD Similar Items:
ASIN: 0783240287 Release Date: 2000-03-28 |
Amazon.com essential video
Following the successful 1998 video release of Cats comes another Andrew Lloyd Webber blockbuster musical, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and it's a savvy choice. It hasn't been represented on film before, it's short enough (78 minutes) to present without cuts, and it has the star power of former teen icon Donny Osmond, who played over 1,800 performances across North America. Rather than record a live performance, Cats director David Mallet conceived Joseph as a film, though one that is based strongly on codirector Steven Pimlott's 1991 London revival and relies more on camerawork than venturing beyond its stagelike sets.Lloyd Webber's first project with lyricist Tim Rice was originally written in 1968 as a school cantata; accordingly, this film uses a framing sequence of a school recital, with an audience of clapping, singing kids and members of the faculty playing the roles. The Old Testament tale of Joseph and his coat of many colors gets a splashy, vigorous treatment with an energetic cast, Las Vegas-style glitz, and catchy, eclectic songs, including "Any Dream Will Do," "Close Every Door," the peppy "Go, Go, Go Joseph," and various bits of country, calypso, and Elvis. Osmond is perfect in the title role, with a strong voice and winning persona, while London stage veteran Maria Friedman performs well in the central role of the narrator. Richard Attenborough appears (and sings a little) as Jacob, and Joan Collins makes a brief, nonsinging cameo.
Joseph certainly isn't revolutionary musical theater, but if you view it as a kids' show, it's a silly good time (though there are poignant moments too). Parents should note, however, that this production might warrant a little discretion due to one suggestive scene and some risqué costumes. --David Horiuchi
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The Exodus Revealed: Searching for the Red Sea Crossing
Starring: Exodus Revealed Manufacturer: Questar ProductGroup: DVD Binding: DVD Similar Items:
ASIN: B00005AUE2 Release Date: 2001-03-27 |
Description
During the Exodus, one of the most famous miracles of the Old Testament took place. More than 3000 years have passed since Moses led two million Israelites across the Red Sea and out of the bondage of Egypt. It is a topic that so fascinated Hollywood director Cecil B. DeMille that he made The Ten Commandments, twice. Steven Spielberg also took on the story in The Prince Of Egypt. Now The Exodus Revealed follows the footsteps of the children of Israel on an unforgettable journey of discovery. A journey that reveals physical evidence for the Exodus, including: the remains of 3800 year old Hebrew settlements in Egypt's Nile Delta; Egyptian records of the Israelites' bondage under Pharaoh; the precise route they may have followed to freedom; their crossing site on shore of the Red Sea; and the location of Mt. Sinai.
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Cleopatra: The First Woman of Power
Starring: Prof. Dorothy Thompson , Lucy Hughes-Hallett , Professor Peter Green , Dr. Robert Bianchi , and Anjelica Huston Director: Katherine Gilday Manufacturer: Questar ProductGroup: DVD Binding: DVD Similar Items:
ASIN: B00000JYWV Release Date: 2000-08-15 |
Amazon.com
Who was Cleopatra? Most think of a sultry Elizabeth Taylor seducing the Roman Empire through its leaders. But history has been written by the winners, and the successors of the Romans painted her with their own colors. Cleopatra: The First Woman of Power examines her life through contemporary Egyptian sources, from her Greek birth through her canny 20-year rule of Egypt. Anjelica Huston narrates this powerful and thought-provoking film that uses often-funny footage from Hollywood, contemporary shots of the Mediterranean, and interviews with historians to show a strong woman whose nobility survives centuries of slander. The formerly one-dimensional queen lives and breathes for the viewer of Cleopatra: The First Woman of Power. --Rob LightnerDescription
For centuries, the real Cleopatra has been shrouded behind legends and myths. Roman and Greek accountsthe records most widely scrutinizedhave portrayed the queen of Egypt as a brazen temptress who corrupted both Caesar and Marc Antony. But was this portrait an accurate one? Cleopatra: The First Woman of Power considers the legendary queen from the perspective of the Egyptians. Their records portray her as a visionary ruler and brilliant strategist, motivated not by wanton lust or greed but a genuine concern for her kingdom. The Egyptians saw Cleopatra as a strong leader who won the loyalty of a distrustful populace, resisted Roman rule for 20 years and amassed a fortune so great that Rome's interest rates dropped by two-thirds when her treasure was brought there upon her death. This program utilizes re-enactments, original location footage and interviews with leading historians to look behind the legends and shed light on this woman who has captivated generations.
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An Egyptian Story
Starring: Oussama Nadir , Mohsen Mohieddin , Nour El-Sherif , Ahmed Mehrez , and Mohamed Mounir Director: Youssef Chahine Manufacturer: Fox Lorber ProductGroup: DVD Binding: DVD Similar Items:
ASIN: 6305949182 Release Date: 2000-08-14 |
Amazon.com
The second of Youssef Chahine's autobiographical Alexandria Trilogy takes place largely in the mind of Chahine's cinematic alter ego, Yehia Mourad (Nour El Cherif), or, to be more accurate, his torso. Rushed into emergency open-heart surgery after an on-set heart attack, Yehia is put through a fantasy trial in a courtroom situated in his rib cage (a rather theatrical-looking contraption of white sheets draped over wooden ribs) as he flashes back on his life. Chahine embraces the absurdity of the silly device with fanciful fun (his inner child rebels against the stodgy grownup by crawling through his veins and undoing the surgery) but it's the flashbacks that carry the film's power. Think of it as Chahine's All That Jazz, only less flashy and more thoughtful. The young director struggles within the industry, sacrificing his vision and his politics in commercial compromises, sacrificing his family for his art, still dreaming of Hollywood while toiling in the low-budget environs of Egypt.Fans of Chahine will recognize startling re-creations of two of his most famous films, Cairo Station and The Sparrow, but you don't need to know his work to feel the strain of his conflicts. Inspired by his real-life bypass surgery and the self reassessment it triggered, Chahine is more critical than you might expect; he forgives himself his sins, naturally, but never quite lets himself off the hook. Followed by Alexandria Again and Forever, which stars Chahine himself as Yehia. --Sean Axmaker
Customer Reviews:
A magic carpet ride that is exotic, romantic and realistic.......2005-01-01
Youssef Chahine Master Filmmaker.......2003-05-22
Mix of styles worth your time.......2002-07-26
Artistic and insightful.......2001-03-05
Great quality, at times too much art.......2000-11-23
The basic reproduction is good in comparison to any other Egyptian movies you can buy. Good is by no means very good nor excellent
The subtitling is very poor. It is very clear and will help keep non-Arabic speakers in the game, but it is seriously inaccurate and in my view often distorts the meaning of the movie. I was particularly amazed to see things like "damn you all" being translated into "fxxk you all". It is truly absurd to subtitle anger into profanity
As to Youssif Chahine own work, it is very clever, at times way too clever. The symbolism goes to the extreme that you just end up going in circle. See how clever and symbolic I can be
The presentation of the gay side of Mourad is certainly brave, but does not seem to be much more than a "dare" game, often it is unclear why it is there and what impact does it have on the whole thing, except for possibly the middle film
As to the camera work, direction, music, acting etc. it is all excellent, well above anything else coming out of Egypt in the last 25 years or so. The real shame is to be the only really good moviemaker in Egypt and to use this to make such narrow movies with too much symbolism.
At any rate, make no mistake about it this is great stuff
DVD:
DVD
Sean Connery Collection: Just Cause/The Man Who Would Be Kin