Diwaniyya Podcast: 1950s Cairo through Film
The film Bab al-Hadid offers a glimpse into life in Cairo in the late 1950's, a period of rapid social change. Joel Gordon, an expert on Egyptian cinematic history, discusses the film and the life of its director.
May's episode of Diwaniyya explores the film Bab al-Hadid, which offers a glimpse into life in Cairo in the late 1950's, a period of rapid social change. Joel Gordon, an expert on Egyptian cinematic history, discusses the film and the life of its director.
About the Diwaniyya Podcast
Launched in 2011, Diwaniyya is the monthly podcast of the Moshe Dayan Center for Middle Eastern and African Studies at Tel Aviv University — one of the leading research hubs in the world.
Diwaniyya, the Arabic word for "informal council," connotes open discussion and a meeting of the minds. The podcast offers a wider view of a multifaceted Middle East through thought-provoking conversations on varied issues in the region.
In addition to the podcast, the Diwaniyya blog features reading lists, videos, music, photos, guests' bios, and more. The blog also acts as a forum for the exchange of ideas and as a place for feedback and comments.
About the May 2014 podcast: 1950s Cairo through Film
Bab al-Hadid ("Cairo Station," 1958) offers a glimpse into life in Cairo in the late 1950's, a period of rapid social change. This genre-bending film — a cross between neo-realism and film noir — explores themes of longing and sexual obsession. And Youssef Chahine, the great Egyptian auteur who directed and starred in Bab al-Hadid, considered it his masterwork.
In this episode, Joel Gordon, an expert on Egyptian cinematic history and the director of Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Arkansas, discusses the film Bab al-Hadid and the life of Youssef Chahine.
Credits
Producer, Editor: Ben Silsbee
Executive Producer: Shoshi Shmuluvitz
Read more about Diwaniyya
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