The Definitive Guide to Living in the Capital , Cairo , Egypt

When we think of Egyptian cinema and television, period pieces are not the first thing that spring to mind. We mostly tend to think of comedy or drama, but we recommend that the next movie or series of choice for family movie night should be a period piece. We’ve done many throughout the years, from the golden age of Egyptian cinema to the era of Ramadan series today. With that, here are five Egyptian period pieces that we encourage you to watch the next time you feel like going back in time.

Afrah Al Koba (Wedding Song)

Image via el Cinema

Based on the novel by Naguib Mahfouz, Wedding Song takes a deep dive into the world of theatre in the 1970s. Directed by Mohammed Yassin and starring Mona Zaki, Gamal Soliman, Eyad Nassar, and Saba Mubarak, the series came out during Ramadan of 2016. It tells the story of a playwright who may have revealed that he murdered his own wife in his hit play, discussing the boundaries between fiction and reality. If you’re the kind of person who is inspired by the 1970s crime, this one is absolutely for you.

Al Momia (The Night of Counting the Years)

Image via Radio Sawa

Also known as The Mummy, The Night of Counting the Years is considered by many to be the greatest Egyptian work of cinema. This legend of cinema, both in Egypt and the world, was the only film directed and written by Shadi Abdel Salam, who was a costume and set designer for some of Egypt’s biggest movies of his time. Based on the true story of the Abdel Rasul family in Upper Egypt, who made a living from selling stolen ancient artefacts on the black market, this is a truly visceral work of art and gives meaning to the expression “one of a kind.” The film was released in 1969 and starred Ahmed Marei, Nadia Lotfy, Ahmed Hegazi, and Zouzou Hamdi.

Aho Da Elly Saar (Once Upon A Time)

Image via Netflix

Once Upon A Time takes place between two timelines. As a man struggles to save his ancestors’ mansion from demolition, he tells a journalist of the love stories that took place behind the walls of his home, stories that happened a hundred years prior. Starring Ruby, Ahmed Dawood, Mohamed Farrag, and Sawsan Badr, this series captures the essence of the olden days, from the dialogue to the set design and costumes. Having come out in 2019, it has already become a modern classic.

Eskendereya Leh? (Alexandria… Why?)

Image via JustWatch

Youssef Chahine, the king of Egyptian cinema, absolutely had to be here. Alexandria … Why? has to be one of his greatest works, and not just because of the international recognition. Released in 1979, it tells the tale of a young man who finds solace in the tense political conditions of World War II in American films. The film stars Mohsen Mohieddin and Ezzat El Alaili, as well as the iconic Farid Shawqi and Naglaa Fathi.

Wahat Al Ghoroub (Sunset Oasis)

Image via el Cinema

A very political work of television set in the 1880s, Sunset Oasis is based on the novel by Bahaa Taher. The story revolves around a topic seldom discussed, and that is life post-Urabi revolt in the Siwa oasis. It’s a work of art which truly brings the diversity of Egypt to light: from its cosmopolitan nature with characters from places like Ireland to the variety of its own people. It shows the distinct quality of Siwi tribes as well as life in the city, with the main character (played by Khaled El Nabawi) being a soldier in exile. Released in 2017, the cast also includes Menna Shalaby and Sayed Ragab.