- Chitchat on the Nile
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Chitchat on the Nile
(Adrift on the Nile)
Directed by Hussein Kamal Starring Emad Hamdy, Ahmed Ramzy, Adel Adham, Mervat Amin, Suhair Ramzi, Neamat Mokhtar Music by Ali Ismail Cinematography Mostapha Emam Editing by Rashida Abdel Salam Release date(s) 1971 Language Arabic Chitchat on the Nile (Arabic: ثرثرة فوق النيل) (Adrift on the Nile) is a 1971 film based on the novel by Egyptian Nobel Laureate Naguib Mahfouz.
Plot
“ Al-hashish is forbidden while alcohol isn't? Why? Both are bad for the health? Both are intoxicating? ” The film addresses the decadence of Egyptian society during the Gamal Abdel Nasser era.
It tells the story of a simple Egyptian worker, Anis (played by Emad Hamdi), who cannot tolerate the hypocrisy of the Egyptian government (for whom he works at the Ministry of Health) and the illiteracy of the Egyptian public and decides to hide from all the problems in the country by taking up smoking hashish in a shisha, a popular smoking habit in Egypt, to escape from reality.
Anis (who used to work as a teacher) meets with an old student, Ragab (actor Ahmed Ramzy), by chance. Ragab invites him to the small boat in the Nile. And Anis discovers soon enough that he isn't the only person who smokes shisha but a bunch of other elite, middle class and low class people are all on the boat. He soon discovers that everyone is smoking to forget the reality and hypocrisy of Egyptian life.
Political background
The film was released during the era of Anwar Al Sadat the former President of Egypt, winner of Nobel Peace Prize, and was taken quickly from the market because the film was seen as a criticism of the Gamal Abdel Nasser socialism period, and the oppression of artistic films during Nasser's time when it was forbidden to make any film unless the rich were clearly portrayed critically while the poor had to be shown sympathetically. Anwar al-Sadat didn't want to upset the Egyptian people, some of whom still loved and respected Nasser.
Even though the film might seem to be about drug problems it's actually a politically controversial movie. The film was produced in 1971, and was unsuccessful financially due to excessive banning that happened not only in the Middle East but also in the west (mainly Europe). It only gained acclaim 35 years later. And even though the world is now more open it's still forbidden in many countries especially Arab countries.
It was very carefully made by writer Naguib Mahfouz and director Hussein Kamal. It's a heartfelt film where everyone is affected by the hypocrisy of Nasser's regime.
The film is now distributed by Founoon and is subtitled in French and English.
External links
Works of Naguib Mahfouz Old Egypt • Whisper of Madness • Mockery of the Fates • Rhadopis of Nubia • The Struggle of Tyba • Modern Cairo • Khan al-Khalili • Midaq Alley • The Mirage • The Beginning and the End • Cairo Trilogy • Palace Walk • Palace of Desire • Sugar Street • Children of Gebelawi • The Thief and the Dogs • Quail and Autumn • God's World • Zaabalawi • The Search • The Beggar • Adrift on the Nile • Miramar • The Pub of the Black Cat • Chitchat on the nile • A story without a beginning or an ending • The Honeymoon • Mirrors • Love under the rain • The Crime • al-Karnak • Respected Sir • The Harafish • Love above the Pyramid Plateau • The Devil Preaches • Love and the Veil • Arabian Nights and Days • Wedding Song • One hour remains • The Journey of Ibn Fattouma • Akhenaten, Dweller in Truth • The Day the Leader was Killed • Fountain and Tomb • Dreams of the Rehabilitation Period • The Seventh Heaven
Categories:- 1971 films
- Arabic-language films
- Egyptian films
- Films based on novels
- Novels by Naguib Mahfouz
- Films directed by Hussein Kamal
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