Qinawi, a physically challenged peddler who makes his living selling newspapers in the central Cairo train station, is obsessed with Hanuma, an attractive young woman who sells drinks. While she jokes with him about a possible relationship, she is actually in love with Abu Siri, a strong and respected porter at the station who is struggling to unionize his fellow workers to combat their boss' exploitative and abusive treatment.
Farid Shawqy
Abu Siri
Hind Rostom
Hanuma
Youssef Chahine
Qinawi
Hassan El Baroudy
Madbouli
Abdel Aziz Khalil
Abo Gaber
Ahmed Abaza
Mansour
Essmat Mahmoud
Hussain Ismael
راكب بالقطار
Naima Wasfi
زعيمة منظمة المراة الحرة
Abdel Ghani El Nagdi
مسافر صعيدي
Abdel Hameed Badawy
الشاويش حسنين
Hanaa Abdel Fattah
Lotfi El Hakim
Sayed el Araby
Said Khalil
جاد الله
Abbas El Daly
عباس الشيال
Mohsen Hassanein
عسكري
Helen
حسناء المحطة
Farouk El Demrdash
Sabri Abdel Aziz
Safia Sarwat
حلاوتهم
Galal Issa
Rashad Hamed
مندوب مكتب العمل
Asaad Kellada
الشاب المسافر للخارج
Sherine
أحمد طنطاوي
Tousoun Motamad
Director
Youssef Chahine
Dialogue
Mohamed Abu Youssef
Screenplay
Abdel Hai Adib
March 28, 2022
7
This is quite a good, multi-layered romantic drama set around the bustling environment of 1950's Cairo railway station. "Hanuma" (Hind Rustum) is the drinks seller whom "Qinawi" (director, Youssef Chahine) has a serious crush on. Snag for him is that she has her eyes on the burly porter "Abu Siri" (Farid Shawqi) who is also a bit of an activist - trying to galvanise the chaotic and easily scared staff at the station to face up to their greedy, conniving boss. It's got to be said that the way the women are treated is tough to watch 60 years on; but, oddly enough, that lends to the authenticity of the prevailing culture that gives the film some of it's edge. The acting is good; though the dialogue way too wordy - the direction is tight and conveys all the hectic, rushed way of life for all concerned whilst gently managing the menace as things take a much more dark (and sexually pervasive) series of turns. No point imposing 2020s attitudes on it - it is what it is, and that isn't at all bad if you remember that.
Status:
Released
Original Language:
Arabic
Budget:
$0.00
Revenue:
$0.00