While the film is well-acted and shot, the story line just isn't much. It's pretty much a soap opera of different characters/story lines, whose common thread involves the decaying apartment building where they live.
The Yacoubian building is an apartment building which was built in Egypt's glory days; once ornate and modern, it has fallen into disrepair. Some wealthy families occupy the large apartments there, but impoverished residents live on the roof in what was formerly servants' quarters. There are 5 or more main characters whose lives are woven together as they do their best to cope with modern Egyptian life.
Yes, the decaying building is a symbol of Egypt's decay. And yes, the film is sociologically interesting as it portrays some of the afflictions facing Egypt today - fundamentalism, poverty, lack of housing, lack of opportunities for young people, etc.
But there are so many better films; this is decent, and watchable, but really nothing too special.
The Yacoubian building is an apartment building which was built in Egypt's glory days; once ornate and modern, it has fallen into disrepair. Some wealthy families occupy the large apartments there, but impoverished residents live on the roof in what was formerly servants' quarters. There are 5 or more main characters whose lives are woven together as they do their best to cope with modern Egyptian life.
Yes, the decaying building is a symbol of Egypt's decay. And yes, the film is sociologically interesting as it portrays some of the afflictions facing Egypt today - fundamentalism, poverty, lack of housing, lack of opportunities for young people, etc.
But there are so many better films; this is decent, and watchable, but really nothing too special.