The Blazing Sun (1954)
(Siraa Fil-Wadi)
Country: EGY
Technical: bw 105m
Director: Youssef Chahine
Cast: Faten Hamamah, Omar Sharif, Zaki Rustum, Farid Shawqi
Synopsis:
Near the Valley of the Kings, a new-style pharaoh's pride is wounded when his steward's son, an agricultural engineer, guides the villagers to a better quality sugar crop than his own. With his nephew's encouragement he sabotages their crop and sets in motion a tragic chain of events, threatening the happiness of his own daughter.
Review:
Astonishing film-making, using dramatic compositions and close-ups of the highest quality to engage the viewer in a scenario that grows more desperate as it goes on. The cruelty of its violent action, leaving aside slight lapses in realism, and the unrestrained frankness of the lovers' kiss, are surprising from such a religious society, though not the almost biblical narrative, encompassing pride, greed, murder, theft, bearing false witness, and honouring one's father! Locations are used for metaphoric effect, culminating in a thrilling climax among the pillars of Luxor.
(Siraa Fil-Wadi)
Country: EGY
Technical: bw 105m
Director: Youssef Chahine
Cast: Faten Hamamah, Omar Sharif, Zaki Rustum, Farid Shawqi
Synopsis:
Near the Valley of the Kings, a new-style pharaoh's pride is wounded when his steward's son, an agricultural engineer, guides the villagers to a better quality sugar crop than his own. With his nephew's encouragement he sabotages their crop and sets in motion a tragic chain of events, threatening the happiness of his own daughter.
Review:
Astonishing film-making, using dramatic compositions and close-ups of the highest quality to engage the viewer in a scenario that grows more desperate as it goes on. The cruelty of its violent action, leaving aside slight lapses in realism, and the unrestrained frankness of the lovers' kiss, are surprising from such a religious society, though not the almost biblical narrative, encompassing pride, greed, murder, theft, bearing false witness, and honouring one's father! Locations are used for metaphoric effect, culminating in a thrilling climax among the pillars of Luxor.
(Siraa Fil-Wadi)
Country: EGY
Technical: bw 105m
Director: Youssef Chahine
Cast: Faten Hamamah, Omar Sharif, Zaki Rustum, Farid Shawqi
Synopsis:
Near the Valley of the Kings, a new-style pharaoh's pride is wounded when his steward's son, an agricultural engineer, guides the villagers to a better quality sugar crop than his own. With his nephew's encouragement he sabotages their crop and sets in motion a tragic chain of events, threatening the happiness of his own daughter.
Review:
Astonishing film-making, using dramatic compositions and close-ups of the highest quality to engage the viewer in a scenario that grows more desperate as it goes on. The cruelty of its violent action, leaving aside slight lapses in realism, and the unrestrained frankness of the lovers' kiss, are surprising from such a religious society, though not the almost biblical narrative, encompassing pride, greed, murder, theft, bearing false witness, and honouring one's father! Locations are used for metaphoric effect, culminating in a thrilling climax among the pillars of Luxor.