Youssef Chahine, a visionary filmmaker born in 1926 in Alexandria, Egypt, embarked on a remarkable journey that would take him from humble beginnings to international acclaim. His academic pursuits began at an afriars' school, followed by a stint at Victoria College, where he earned his High School Certificate. Chahine's thirst for knowledge led him to the University of Alexandria, where he spent a year honing his skills before making the bold decision to relocate to the United States.
In Pasadena, California, Chahine spent two years at the prestigious Pasadena Play House, where he delved into the world of film and dramatic arts. This formative experience laid the groundwork for his future success. Upon his return to Egypt, Chahine's big break came when cinematographer Alevise Orfaneli mentored him and introduced him to the film industry. His debut film, "Baba Amin," was released in 1950, followed by "Son of the Nile" in 1951, which earned him his first invitation to the prestigious Cannes Film Festival.
Throughout his illustrious career, Chahine received numerous accolades, including a Golden Tanit at the Carthage Festival in 1970. His groundbreaking film "Le moineau" (1973) marked the first Egypt-Algeria co-production, while his 1979 masterpiece "Alexandria... Why?" won a Silver Bear in Berlin and launched an autobiographical trilogy that would continue with "Hadduta Masriya" (1982) and "Alexandria: Again and Forever" (1989).
In 1992, French director Jacques Lassalle invited Chahine to stage a production of his choice for the Comédie Française, which he chose to adapt Albert Camus' "Caligula." The production was a resounding success, and the same year, Chahine began working on his long-held dream project, "Al-mohager" (1994),inspired by the biblical story of Joseph, son of Jacob. After years of development, the film was finally released in 1994.
Chahine's remarkable journey continued with his 1997 film "Destiny," which earned him his 46th invitation to the Cannes Film Festival, this time in the Hors Competition category.
