Cairo Station

1958 1h 17m AR

👍

7.4

SOLID

★7.4TMDB · 154

CrimeDramaThriller

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

Qinawi, a physically challenged peddler who makes his living selling newspapers in the central Cairo train station, is obsessed with Hanuma, an attractive young woman who sells drinks. While she jokes with him about a possible relationship, she is actually in love with Abu Siri, a strong and respected porter at the station who is struggling to unionize his fellow workers to combat their boss' exploitative and abusive treatment.

“Some stories are better left unspoiled.”

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Cast

Farid Shawqy
Abu Siri
Hind Rostom
Hanuma
Youssef Chahine
Qinawi
Hassan El Baroudy
Madbouli
Abdel Aziz Khalil
Abo Gaber
Ahmed Abaza
Mansour
Essmat Mahmoud
Hussain Ismael
راكب بالقطار

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Youssef Chahine
Writers: Abdel Hai Adib
Languages: Arabic
Countries: Egypt

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 7

RUNTIME

Did you know

Tight 77-minute runtime — shorter than most television pilots.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 7

ERA

Did you know

68 years old — a genuine piece of film history.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 7

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Youssef Chahine, shot by Alevise Orfanelli. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 7

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Fouad El-Zahry. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 7

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Kamal Abul Ela shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 7

CAST

Did you know

Farid Shawqy and Hind Rostom and Youssef Chahine carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 7

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt0051390 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Youssef Chahine directs. Alevise Orfanelli behind the camera. Fouad El-Zahry scores. Kamal Abul Ela cuts. Runs lean at under 100 minutes. Produced in Egypt. Dialogue in Arabic.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Tight 77-minute runtime — shorter than most television pilots.
268 years old — a genuine piece of film history.
3Directed by Youssef Chahine, shot by Alevise Orfanelli. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
4Original score by Fouad El-Zahry. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
5Editor Kamal Abul Ela shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
6Farid Shawqy and Hind Rostom and Youssef Chahine carry the top of the cast.
7IMDB entry: tt0051390 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
8Released under 35 different titles around the world.

The technical file

Cinematography: Alevise Orfanelli
Original score: Fouad El-Zahry
Editing: Kamal Abul Ela
Makeup / hair: Hamdi Rafaat
Runtime: 77 min · 1h 17m
Aspect ratio (typical): 1.37:1 (Academy)
Status: Released
Original language: AR
IMDB: Cairo Station (1958)

Also by

Youssef Chahine

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What people are saying

CinemaSerf2022-03-28
★ 7/10
This is quite a good, multi-layered romantic drama set around the bustling environment of 1950's Cairo railway station. "Hanuma" (Hind Rustum) is the drinks seller whom "Qinawi" (director, Youssef Chahine) has a serious crush on. Snag for him is that she has her eyes on the burly porter "Abu Siri" (Farid Shawqi) who is also a bit of an activist - trying to galvanise the chaotic and easily scared staff at the station to face up to their greedy, conniving boss. It's got to be said that the way the women are treated is tough to watch 60 years on; but, oddly enough, that lends to the authenticity of the prevailing culture that gives the film some of it's edge. The acting is good; though the dialogue way too wordy - the direction is tight and conveys all the hectic, rushed way of life for all concerned whilst gently managing the menace as things take a much more dark (and sexually pervasive) series of turns. No point imposing 2020s attitudes on it - it is what it is, and that isn't at all bad if you remember that.
azdave20242024-04-30
Enthralling--confusing--not what I expected! his noir film really challenged my and was very much a study of the underbelly of the human condition. I never figured out the two you lovers. The film ends with them seemingly implying they are central. I am not sure why. Leaving me unsettled and hungry I will watch it again. AzDave

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