Checking out El-ittihâm: A classic with some dusty charm

Is this thing worth the watch?

If you're into the history of Egyptian cinema, sure. It’s got that old-school, slightly stagey vibe that feels like stepping into a theater from another century. If you need fast cuts and a modern pace, you’ll probably be scrolling your phone within ten minutes. This is for the patient folks who don't mind a little grit on the film stock.

The story hits hard on reputation. It’s basically a long, slow burn about who said what and why it ruined everything. Zaki Rostom is in this, and he’s one of those actors who just knows exactly where the camera is. Even when he’s just sitting there, he’s doing more work than half the cast.

The Rhythm of the Thing

The pacing is… well, it’s not exactly a sprint. Sometimes a scene will just hang there, long after the point has been made. I found myself staring at the curtains in the background of one room for way too long. It’s weirdly hypnotic, honestly.

Cinematic perspective: Exploring the visual vocabulary of El-ittihâm (1934) through its definitive frames.

There’s a specific sequence where the dialogue feels like it’s being recited to the back row of a massive auditorium. It’s a bit clunky, but there’s a certain charm to it. It reminded me a bit of the stiff, formal energy in A Dream of Fair Women, where the silence between lines matters more than the words themselves. 🎞️

• Zeinab Sedky looks like she’s trying to hold the whole plot together with just her eyes.
• The lighting in the interior shots is very, very moody.
• I think I heard a chair creak in the background for three straight seconds.

Wait, what was that?

There’s a moment halfway through where the tension just evaporates. It’s like the movie forgot it was supposed to be a drama and decided to take a nap. Then suddenly, boom, someone is yelling again. It’s a bit jarring, like someone turning the volume knob from 2 to 10 without warning.

It’s not perfect. Far from it. Some of the dramatic choices feel a bit dated, maybe even a little silly by today's standards. But you can tell the people making this really cared about the weight of these accusations. It’s got that earnest quality you just don't see anymore. It feels like a real, honest attempt at making something that lasts. 🕰️

I wouldn't compare it to Breaking In—that's a totally different beast. This one is way more concerned with social standing than anything else. You might hate it if you're looking for action. But if you want to see how these legends worked, you'll find something to latch onto.