The Blazing Sun: dir Youssef Chahine (1954)

In pre-1952 Luxor, newly graduated agricultural engineer Ahmed helps his village upgrade their crops. That threatens the interests of their feudalist landlord, Taher Pasha; seeking revenge, Pasha and his conniving nephew, Riad, devise a plan to flood the peasants’ fields, spoiling the crop and setting off a murderous chain of events. The conflict is complicated by the star-crossed romance between Ahmed and the Pasha’s daughter, Amal, and Riad’s scheme to force her into marrying him … Stars Faten Hamama and a young Omar Sharif.

Screens in the Jameel’s second Summer Cinema programme, in collaboration with Hind Mezaina’s Culturist Film Club. Screenings are followed by an informal discussion with invited guests.