The Land (Al-Ard)

Catalogue Code

FILM000126

Synopsis

Adapted from Abdel Rahman Al-Sharqawi’s well-known novel of the same name, this film classic by Egyptian master Youssef Chahine was eight years in the making. Chronicling a small peasant village’s struggles against the careless inroads of the large local landowner, The Land shows why political oppression does not necessarily lead to a sense of solidarity among the disinherited.

This contemplative, epic film about feudalism in rural regions received a warm reception at the 1970 Cannes Film Festival and at one time was named the best Egyptian film ever made in a poll of Egyptian film critics.

Year of Release

1969

Running Time

130 mins

Distributor

Arab Film Distribution

EIDR

Genres

Adaptation, Drama

Language

Arabic,

Country of Origin

Egypt

Permalink

http://arabcinemadb.alc.manchester.ac.uk/Public/Film/Show/FILM000126

Notes

Entered into 1970 Cannes Film Festival

People with a connection to this film

Yehia Chahine (Actor)Ezzat El-Alaili (Actor)Ali El-Scherif (Actor)Mahmoud El-Meliguy (Actor)Imad Hamdi (Actor)Nagwa Ibrahim (Actor)Youssef Chahine (Director)

Publications related to this film

Ibrahim Fawal (2002) Malek Khouri (2010) Maureen Kiernan (1995) Susannah Downs (1995) Zahr Said Stauffer (2009)

Copies in the collection

DVD ARA/FIL/0141 Subtitles: English

Record from the Contemporary Arab Cinema Database

Last modified on 04/01/2014 16:46