Arab World Institute Marks Youssef Chahine Centenary in Paris

The Arab World Institute (IMA) in Paris is marking the centenary of Youssef Chahine with a four-day programme running from January 22nd to 25th, bringing together film screenings and critical discussions dedicated to his legacy.

Across 38 feature films produced between 1950 and 2007, Chahine moved fluidly between comedy and melodrama, historical epics and political allegories, musicals and autobiographical narratives – often blending multiple forms within a single work. Emerging during the golden age of Egyptian cinema in the 1950s, he remains one of the most influential figures in the country’s film history, shaping both its artistic language and its engagement with politics, identity, and society.

On Thursday, January 22nd, the programme opens at 7:00 PM with a panel, 'Youssef Chahine: Portrait and Legacies', featuring Yousry Nasrallah, Marianne Khoury, and Rashid Masharawi, moderated by Jean-Michel Frodon. The evening continues at 8:30 PM with a screening of 'Life After Siham' by Namir Abdel Messeeh.

Then, on Friday, January 23rd, the conversation shifts to 'Youssef Chahine and the Power of Women', with Sharon Hakim, Hind Meddeb, and Viviane Candas, moderated by Jean-Michel Frodon at 7:00 PM. At 8:00 PM, the night moves into screenings with Chahine’s 'The Sixth Day'.

A double screening day begins with 'Destiny' at 4:30 PM, followed by 'The Emigrant' at 7:30 PM on Saturday, January 24th.

Sunday, January 25th will see the final day start at 3:00 PM with 'Youssef Chahine and Me: Unpublished Testimonies & Encounters', featuring Jack Lang, Abdallah Taïa, Houda Ibrahim, and Dominique Bax, moderated by Thierry Jousse. Screenings follow with 'The Land' at 4:00 PM, then 'The Sparrow' at 6:00 PM to close out the programme.

You can book all screenings and panels on the Arab World Institute website.