Film Screening: Beggars and Noblemen
Directed by Asmaa El-Bakry | Adapted from the graphic novel by Albert Cossery | Produced by Misr International Films | Egypt /France | 1991 | 92 min | in Arabic with English subtitles
In tribute to the recent passing of Egypt’s renowned actor Salah El Saadani, join us next Sunday for the screening of Asmaa al-Bakri’s adaptation of Albert Cossery’s “Beggars and Noblemen”.
Set at the end of World War II, “Beggars and Noblemen” follows Gohar, a former university professor who, kills a woman in a moment of “insanity”. Police Detective Noureddine takes on the case and tracks down Gohar, hoping to confront him and get a confession. In this remarkable adaptation of the graphic novel by Albert Cossery, both the detective and the criminal are faced with startling revelations that challenge their beliefs.
/// Please note that our library has limited seats and we work on a first-come, first-served basis. Doors open at 6:30PM and the screening starts at 7:00 PM, or earlier in case the space reaches its full capacity. Thank you for understanding and see you on Sunday!
Salah Al-Saadani’s repertoire spans a diverse range of series, films, and plays. His portrayal of Mayor Suleiman Ghanem in the series “Layali Al-Helmiya” alongside Yahya Al-Fakharany and Safia Al-Omari, as well as his role in “Arabesque,” received widespread acclaim. Over his five-decade career, which included more than 200 works, El-Saadani made a profound impact, from his debut in the 1960 series “Al-Departure” to his extensive contributions to radio, theater, film, and television.
Asmaa El Bakry, a multifaceted Egyptian filmmaker, author , and illustrator, has left an indelible mark on the film industry. Her journey included serving as an assistant to renowned Egyptian director Youssef Chahine, as well as collaborating with Saad Arafa and Khairy Beshara. As a production manager, El Bakry crafted approximately twenty documentaries in Egypt for the BBC. Her directorial debut came in 1991 with “Beggars and Nobles,” a film she also co-produced.
Albert Cossery was an Egyptian-born French writer. Despite spending most of his life in Paris and writing exclusively in French, all of his novels were either set in his home country of Egypt or in a fictional Middle Eastern country. In 60 years he wrote eight novels, in accordance with his philosophy of life in which “laziness” is not a vice but a form of contemplation and meditation.
