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The Yacoubian Building

Film screening followed by discussion with Marwan Hamed, Director & Yousra, Lead Actress

Sunday, May 13, 2007
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
James Bridges Theater
Melnitz Hall
UCLA
Los Angeles, CA United States

Based upon the bestselling novel by Alaa Al Aswani, director Marwan Hamed’s The Yacoubian Building is a sprawling, star-studded epic that spans all the social classes populating contemporary Cairo. The famous Yacoubian Building was constructed in downtown Cairo in 1937 to house wealthy Pashas, foreign dignitaries and other members of the city's upper crust. But post-World War II, the building hosts a cross-section of society as workers and families occupy the rooftop and now mingle with the nouveau riche, thrill-seekers and ex-Pashas.

In just under three fast-moving hours, it dramatizes topical issues like political corruption, terrorism, adultery and the hitherto taboo subject of homosexuality. The main characters include Zaki Pasha (Adel Imam), an aging playboy; a French singer and his former love, Christine (Yousra);  Haj Azzam (Nour El Sherif), who has risen from a shoeshine boy to a rich businessman; Bosnaina (Hind Sabry), an ambitious young woman who lives on the roof; and Taha (Mohamed Imam), a disillusioned student whose frustrations lead him to religious extremism.

The Yacoubian Building, Egypt, 2006, 165 minutes

Cost: Free and Open to the Public

Special Instructions

Parking will be available in Parking Lot 3. Please visit the kiosk at Hilgard and Westholme Avenues to obtain a parking permit ($8.00).

For more information please contact

Peter Szanton, Center for Near Eastern Studies
Tel: (310) 825-1455
pszanton@international.ucla.edu
www.international.ucla.edu/cnes

Sponsor(s): Center for Near Eastern Studies, Consulate General of Egypt - San Francisco