DESTINY

Alarmed by the rise of religious fundamentalism in Egypt in the 1990´s Chahine created an historic epic centered on the philosopher Ibn Rushd (known in the west as Averroes) and set in medieval Córdoba, Spain where – under Arab rule – a secular and multicultural society flourished. Chahine concocts the story of a young Arab man lured away from his decadent life style and indoctrinated into a fundamentalist sect. Though the film operates as a sincere and moving plea for tolerance and a timely warning against violent religious extremism, Chahine also provides plenty of spectacles including a steamy romance and lots of song and dance.

Original title Al Massir المصير
Directed by Youssef Chahine
Screenplay Youssef Chahine Khaled Youssef
Cast Nour El Sherif Laila Eloui Mahmoud Hemeida Mohamed Mounir Khaled El Nabawy Safia El Emari
Music Kamal El Tawil Yehia El Mougy
Cinematography Mohsen Nasr
Editing Rashida Abdel Salam
Production Companies Ognon Pictures Misr International Films Canal Plus
Festival de Cannes
1997 | Out of Competition
Prix du 50e anniversaire — Youssef Chahine
Locarno International Film Festival
1997 | Piazza Grande
Toronto International Film Festival
1997 | Planet Africa
New York Film Festival
1997
Venice International Film Festival
1997
Film Fest Gent
1997 | Official Selection — Competition
Amiens International Film Festival
1997
OCIC Award — Youssef Chahine
Tetouan International Mediterranean Film Festival
1997
International Film Festival Rotterdam
1998 | Main Programme
Göteborg Film Festival
1998
UPCB / UBFP — Prix Humanum
1997
Prix Humanum — Youssef Chahine

OUTSIDE THE LAW

12 ANGRY LEBANESE