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Legendary Egyptian director's films restored for new generations

A festival in Cairo featuring director Youssef Chahine's films is attracting a new generation, who are commemorating the 10th anniversary of his death.
Egyptian director Youssef Chahine poses on the beach as the 51st Cannes Film Festival continues May 20. Chahine, who has participated five times with official entries in Cannes, attends this year's festival to give a lecture on cinematography.

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Cairo’s historical Zawya Cinema has been the scene of long queues for the last 10 days since it began screening the restored films of Egypt’s legendary director Youssef Chahine.

An hour before screening began on Sept. 15, more than 400 people lined up in front of the cinema on the upscale Emadeddin Street in downtown Cairo. The film was his 1958 hit, “Bab al-Hadid” (“Cairo Station”); most of the tickets were already sold out.

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