Egypt's Youssef Shahine in Lebanon
Regional, Entertainment, 8/11/1997

Lebanese media reported the decoration of the producer Youssef Shahine during his short stay in Lebanon. Shahine , who won the prestigious Cannes festival award, has just left Lebanon with the group of actors who were in his last movie, "Al Massir." During his stay in Lebanon, he gave a press conference and presented his new movie in a preview at Beit Eddine (the legendary setting of Emir Beshir's castle).

As in his former movie, "Al Mouhager" (the Emigre), the producer is concerned by the problems of nation and identity. "Al Massir" is almost a campaign against Islamic fundamentalism, and "it describes the coexistence in Spain, in the twelfth century, of Muslim, Christian, and Jewish communities," according to an interview with Variety. Critics say that the Egyptian producer has a style of his own, that can't be classified as classical or modern. He is known for having been influenced by America, especially by Hollywood.

The producer told some reporters that many scenes have been filmed in Lebanon, in Syria, and in Egypt. "Andalucia is too crowded by tourists," he said. He added in his press conference that if we have the impression that he deals with the present problems through history, it is just because nothing has changed and the problems remain the same. "I only write because I feel the necessity to do so, and I do not think further about it," answered Shahine to the Lebanese reporters, when he was asked about this issue.

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