Why it's on MuvieStars
A landmark of Egyptian and Arab cinema, combining social realism with psychological melodrama and a central performance by its director, Youssef Chahine.
About the film
At Cairo's railway station, newspaper seller Kenawi becomes obsessed with Hanuma, a drinks vendor who is engaged to a porter. Against the station's crowded working life, jealousy and frustrated desire push him toward a violent crisis.
Cultural context
Egyptian Arabic. Also known as The Iron Gate and Bab al-Hadid. Runtime follows Criterion's 76-minute restoration; other programmes list 73 or 77 minutes.
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