sergepesic The modern day Egypt is the main character of this epic. It seems to be a tumultuous place never sure if it wants to be in the West or East. The director of this interesting movie tackles quite a few controversial topics. The rise of Islamic fundamentalism, homosexuality, the poor treatment of women in contemporary Egyptian society, the rampant corruption, still powerful strict class system. Enough topics for a dozen movies, but the director somehow manages to pull it all together. Some of the story lines feel a bit rushed to its conclusion, but all in all an interesting glimpse at modern Arab world. Its people are like any other, scared and imperfect and a bit lost in the complexities of life.

Albert Salib I did not read the book before watching he movie, nor did I not know what the movie is about, but I heard from several people and friends that it is the greatest Egyptian movie of all time. After watching the movie I was a bit disappointed, I thought the movie was good, but I expected more. Marwan Hamed (director) did a great job, since it is only his first movie, but the movie could have been directed much better than this. The movie talks about the 3 major taboos in the Egyptian literature: Politics, Sex and Religion, it's not the first movie to appoint these issues, but its definitely the bravest... too brave I should say. Since when we talked about sex or homosexuality freely and with open minded? since when did a man discuss how many times he sleeps with his wife with one another? The movie was showing too much carelessly and regardless of our typical Egyptian culture.The director concentrated so much on the Sexual issues (especially the homosexuality), yet Religion and Politics ware not given their fair piece of the cake. Why didn't the movie discuss racism between Moslims and Christians for example? I know the book might have not talked about it, but the director still added scenes that were useless.I would recommend you watch the movie, it is still a great movie, although you might have different opinion.

Ibrahim Dashti This movie offers three stories that are not linked except by having some of their events taking place at the same building: Yacoubian Building (Emarat Yaqubyan). The small hints in one story that may refer to another one are so insignificant that you can take them out of script without any damage to any of the stories. The main story is about the rich playboy (Adel Emam) who is turning old. The second story is about the devout merchant (Noor el-Sharif) and his quest for more. The last small story is about the homosexual newspaper editor and his quest for a lover. Having so disconnected stories in one building might be a symbol for the way Cairan society is: so many disconnected lives living in one big city. And this applies for all of Egypt too.Unsurprising about Adel Emam's movies, this one is full of sexual scenes and is extremely anti-religious with uncompromising tone. Decency is not welcome here and is not encouraged. It is pro-'mutual consent sex' but anti-'sexual exploitation': something that Emam has always featured in his movies against the norms of the Muslim traditions of Egypt and the Arab World. When discussing religion, the movie gives the extreme cases of terrorists and opportunists. No moderate Islam (or Christianity) is introduced although Egyptian and Arab societies are mostly moderate and honest.I'm not surprised by being disappointed. Egyptian movie-making should stop being so liberal and turn to the truth of Egyptian society. I'm not Egyptian, but I know that Egyptians are fed up with negative stereotypes that are introduced in their local movies. Egyptians should not be blamed for attacking this movie and all other movies that don't mirror the facts of Egyptian society.The story is great, the movie-making is nice, but the messages are bad. I would recommend seeing this movie, but don't take it seriously. It is not the whole truth, and many events are untrue (like allowing extremist Friday prayer and sermon in a major mosque under the currently effective Egyptian martial laws). It is just drama and not true life, but full of symbolism and some true things.

Sunny-Thumb Aside from the technical issues of directing, the movie was a total failure, those who did not read the novel have seen nothing! Waheed hamed's lame adaptation ruined the whole spirit of the book, the lines are more of a "Nadia el gendy" or "nabeela edeid" film.The whole scene is supposed to be set in the early 90s, yet nothing in the customs or the events can be of the 90s.Special lines and scenes are added for Zaky el dessouki (Adel emam) only because he's a famous comedian and the audience would like him to throw a joke every now and then although it's totally unnecessary,Taha's (Mohamed emam) clothes are not of his social class in anyway!The amazing spirit of neutrality that one can find in the novel has been brutally destroyed in the movie where you can take sides easily.The soundtrack is nonsense, people in theatres were laughing most of the time specially in the Gay love scenes as the proper music for the moment is lost.All I can think of is that those Old guys desperately tryed to seize the moment and have their share of the new Egyptian film industry cake that the young actors built over the past 8 years or so!Guess i'm obviously biased , but that's how I see it.