AL MASSIR

Alarmed by the rise of religious fundamentalism in Egypt in the 1990´s Chahine created an historic epic centered on the philosopher Ibn Rushd (known in the west as Averroes) and set in medieval Córdoba, Spain where – under Arab rule – a secular and multicultural society flourished. Chahine concocts the story of a young Arab man lured away from his decadent life style and indoctrinated into a fundamentalist sect. Though the film operates as a sincere and moving plea for tolerance and a timely warning against violent religious extremism, Chahine also provides plenty of spectacles including a steamy romance and lots of song and dance.