Screening: ‘that Alexandria’ -A documentary, directed by Sherif Fathy Salem

CASAW is pleased to annouce a film screening of 'that Alexandria', in partnership with Dr Anthony Gorman's CASAW research network 'Cultures of Diversity: Arts and Cultural Life in Arab Societies before Independence'

‘that Alexandria’

A documentary, directed by Sherif Fathy Salem, about the magnificent Alexandria of the first half of the 20th century narrated by its Greek, Italian, Armenian, Syro-Lebanese and Egyptian citizens.

Synopsis: Seven protagonists; Greeks, Italians, Armenians, Syro-Lebanese and Egyptians, they belong to different religions, sects, social classes and ages, but they have something in common, being Alexandrian of that Alexandria of the first half of 20th century; pearl of the Mediterranean, the magnificent cosmopolitan model, the city of wealth, the cinema centre in the east, homeland of international poets and attractive site for esteemed writers. Their personal stories, as well as the narration of three acclaimed Alexandrian scholars, tell the story of the city at that prosperous time, linking it to its ancient glory years when it was the world’s centre of knowledge.

Director Sherif Fathy Salem is a writer, producer and director of documentary films, and a member of European Documentary Network and Arab Documentary Film Association. Born in Cairo, Egypt, his first documentary was ‘A Palace of Clay’ which featured in several international festivals. In 2005 he founded SPOT1.tv; an independent film production house based in Italy. He has produced, authored and directed several documentaries including ‘that Alexandria’, ‘The Italians of Egypt’, ‘The traces of the Sicilian Muslims’, ‘The new Italians’ and ‘Clandestini; illegal immigrants in Italy’.

Date and Time: 25 February 2015, 5:30 – 7:30PM