Khan El Khalili


Khan El Khalili is a 1967 Egyptian drama film directed by Atef Salem. It was entered into the 5th Moscow International Film Festival. It is based on Naguib Mahfouz’s 1945 novel of the same name.

Cast

Synopsis

Ahmed is forced to interrupt his studies to support his family and help his younger brother Rushdi complete his education. He moves with his family from the El Sakkakini neighborhood of Cairo to the area of the Khan el-Khalili bazaar, where he gets to know the residents, including a professor named Nono who has lived there his entire life. Despite Rushdi’s frivolous life of diversions, he completes his education and becomes Ahmed’s sole accomplishment, albeit vicariously. Ahmed begins looking for love and finds it in their neighbor Nawal, but experiences a rude awakening when she falls for Rushdi. Looking for distraction, Ahmed goes with Nono to live with his ne’er-do-well friend Walid. Rushdi contracts tuberculosis as a result of his disreputable behavior, leaving everyone’s life in shambles.