Date Wine (1998)
"Arak el-balah" (original title)

This film is an exploration of what happens to places in general, and people in particular, once the menfolk abandon an Egyptian village to investigate the greener-grass on the proverbial '... See full summary »

Director:

Radwan El-Kashef

Writer:

Radwan El-Kashef

Stars:

Hamdy Ahmed, Fayza Amasaib, Abla Kamel

4 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Hamdy Ahmed
Fayza Amasaib
Abla Kamel
Abdalla Mahmoud
Mohamed Nagati
Sherihan

Storyline

This film is an exploration of what happens to places in general, and people in particular, once the menfolk abandon an Egyptian village to investigate the greener-grass on the proverbial 'other side'. The womenfolk, those too old and those too young are left behind... and as the years pass, only letters return, telling tales of loneliness and hard-times. A young man, Ahmed, grows-up under these surroundings and has to deal with being the de-facto man-in-charge; when several of the migrant workers return one day, everyone has to come to terms with things being forever changed.

Details

Country:

Egypt

Language:

Arabic

Release Date:

1 September 1999 (France)

Also Known As:

Date Wine

Company Credits

Production Co:

Misr Arab Films Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min

Color:

Color

User Reviews

Film as Art

It's been a while since i've seen such an artistic film, full of symbolism, humanity and mythology.

The surreal beginning sets up the viewer for what comes. If you are someone who loves symbolism and likes to think for yourself, rather than be spoon-fed by Hollywood style films, then this film is for you.

Reminds me of Fellini and Bergman films.

Cheers to Date Wine.