22 Facts About Youssef Chahine

Youssef Chahine was active in the Egyptian film industry from 1950 until his death.

Youssef Chahine directed twelve films included in a list of Top 100 Egyptian films published by the Cairo International Film Festival.

Youssef Chahine's father was an attorney originally from Zahle, Lebanon and was a supporter of the Egyptian nationalist Wafd Party.

Youssef Chahine had affectionate parents and had a strong relationship with both of them- even though his mother and father had distinct personalities.

Youssef Chahine would stay under his bed and in his room for hours, picturing himself in the industry- whether in a projection theater, a cinema hall or a production company.

Youssef Chahine began his education at a Freres' school College Saint Marc.

Youssef Chahine's parents refused, and tried to talk him out of it.

Youssef Chahine directed his first feature film in 1950, Baba Amin at the age of 23, two years before the Egyptian revolution of 1952 that saw the overthrow of the monarchy and the rise of the charismatic leader Gamal Abdel Nasser.

Youssef Chahine provided Hind Rostom with a role early on in her career in Cairo Station.

Youssef Chahine produced his four autobiographical films starting 1978 and up till 2004.

An Egyptian Story, released later in 1982, Youssef Chahine looks at his own journey as an auteur and a director.

In 1989, Youssef Chahine released his third autobiographical film Alexandria Again and Forever.

Youssef Chahine uses many directorial styles: verite, normal narrative and formalism.

Youssef Chahine is put on trial in a military court and they try to accidentally kill him, as they have disposed of many witnesses.

Youssef Chahine made an epic, three-hour film in widescreen named after the 12th century Ayyubid sultan who, as the film begins, is preparing to liberate Jerusalem from its Crusader occupiers.

In 1994, with the release of Al Mohaguer, Youssef Chahine ran into trouble with fundamentalists.

The film was initially banned awaiting a lawsuit that Youssef Chahine eventually won it was still not screened.

Youssef Chahine again found himself at conflict with fundamentalists after the release of Al Masir which tells the story of Andalucian Arab philosopher, Abu al-Walid ibn Ahmad ibn Rushd.

Youssef Chahine frequently included gay or bisexual themes in his work.

Youssef Chahine has a brief affair with a taxi driver.

Youssef Chahine was hospitalised at El Shorouq hospital in Cairo, having fallen into a coma following an apparent cerebral haemorrhage, on Sunday, 15 June 2008.

Youssef Chahine died in his Cairo home on Sunday, 27 July 2008.