Synopsis
This big-budget historical epic from acclaimed Egyptian director Youssef Chahine features a crazed turn by Patrice Chereau as Napoleon Bonaparte. The film, an Egyptian-French co-production, deals with Napoleon's occupation of Alexandria and its effect on a typical Egyptian family. Michel Piccoli leads the cast as a general in Napoleon's army who tentatively befriends a local poet and falls in love with two young Egyptian brothers, reflecting complex themes of colonial desire, affection, and personal connection.
Cast and Crew
Cast: Mohsen Mohey ElDein, Ahmed Abdelaziz, Gamil Ratib, Michel Piccoli, Patrice Chéreau, Abla Kamel, Mohsena Tawfiq, Seif Abdelrahman, Christian Patey, Hassan Hussein, Salah Zulfikar, Huda Sultan, Tawfiq Al-Deqen, Tahiya Cariocca, Ali Al Sharif, Salah Jahin, Mohamed Atef, Dahlia Younès, Jean-Pierre Michaud, Claude Cernay
Writers: Youssef Chahine (Writer), Yousry Nasrallah (Writer), Mohsen Mohey ElDein (Writer)
Cinematographer: Mohsen Nasr
Production Designer: Onsi Abou Seif, Gabriel Karraze
Editor: Luc Barnier
Composer: Gabriel Yared
Costume Designer: Yvonne Sassinot de Nesle
Direction team: Yousry Nasrallah (Assistant Director), Hassan El Geretly (Assistant Director)
Producers: Humbert Balsan, Marianne Khoury, Jean-Pierre Mahot
Production: Lyric International, MISR International Films, Renn Productions, TF1 Films Production