Alexandrie... New York

thats the last words of the film, a song that reflects the feeling of Chahine towards the America today, which became so different from the America he fell in love with 50 years ago. A strong film, with a strong story. THis is the 4th chapter of the auto-biography films of Youssef Chahine, more fictional than the others. The movie targets Chahine's emotion towards America, and how America today has more of a violence attitude towards others rather than back then. America the country that represents democracy, has a media that makes its people feel that Arabs are people who are illiterate, and live in tents, and ride camels. The idea of 2 parallel stories told, the story of the father who came to California as a young man to become an actor, and when he came to America 50 years later to find out he had a son he never knew about, and how he has to cope with the fact the son denies him and refuses him because he is an Arab. Chahine blames America for that, talking to his son about the difference between him and his mother, like the different between the beautiful musical films of Fred Astaire and the gritty violent action films of today. Chahine has so much love for America, he presents it in a sad form that it is dying slowly in him because of how America today doesn't follow the democracy it claims, that it supports countries like Israel with weapons that kill innocent civilians. This is a beautiful film, cinematogrpahy is brilliant with great lighting, the acting was superb (thumbs up to MAHMOUD HEMEDA) and of course great directing by the great Youssef Chahine. this film presents drama, history, music, and romance, its a movie for everyone and its an eye opener of how the east and west need to use time to know each other more.

This movie made a deep impression on me. Interesting characters, good acting, beautiful music. In a movie like this you feel you get to know the main character (Yehia), and understand his view on life. Being Jewish, this film also made me sympathize more with the Arab culture, and wish that Jews and Arabs were like brothers. Its a beautiful film, and it almost made me cry (although I usually don't do that). If everyone though like Yehia, perhaps there would be no wars.

See it! I give it a 9 because I think that the old Ginger didn't connect well to the young Ginger. Perhpas it deserves 10 :)

9/10 .

This movie is a little dark, literally, or maybe my TV is old. Either way it wasn't something to enjoy visually. I like the idea of the film but not the acting or the dialog between characters in the movie. Aside from the young Yousra, every other actor was just too much drama. delayed facial reactions, silly lines you won't say in real life, and just too much stage acting, maybe what I really want to say, is exaggerated emotions. I like the courage of Mr. Chahine, but I am bored with the ongoing slow paced spelled out emotions type movies. I wish Eyptian movies and shows use better actors, or just stop. The usage of sensuality is probably the only thing that keeps people watching, so basically, it's a bait. Still the movie is important in that it does openly discuss East and West clashes, but I don't like the final song or the underlying emotions/attitude, it's too stereotypical and too cliché'. But that's just personal.

I Think yousef shahin should stop making films! I'm afraid he must hang up his boots, i.e, stop rolling. I saw portions of this film, not all of it but its the usual Shahine clichés. Shahin still insists on using songs & dances in his films which alienate viewers from the serious continuity of the film, when it exists. The scene where Yehia(Ahmed yehya) is angry and shouting at his mother Ginger(yousra) after finding out his real father is Egyptian (his looks aren't exactly American or Caucasian either) is just another example of cementing notions in the psyche of the audience. Another scene where Yousra-Ginger is confronted by a racial burst of venom that's only to inflame the inferiority complex of many. Some bits seem distant in nature & do not fit but then that could be just me. Casting the new comer Ahmed yehia wasn't a good choice. He can dance but cannot act. The other new comer Yousra Louzy seems quite promising but will she drift into the mainstream Egyptian cinema scene or will she break the mould & do something inventive? only time will tell. Shahin should have stopped those auto biographies years ago, it was OK for a film or two but now it's really boring & tedious. If there aren't any other interesting topics that fascinate him, then his health is obscuring his vision & must stop making films, at least not his biography anymore.

"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!