Hemaidah (Yehia Chahine) is a farmer who hates country life. He hates working in fields and taking care of the animals in his farm. Though unsatisfied with her, he marries Zebeidah (Faten Hamama), a woman in the same village. He is determined to leave the village, move and live in the city. He plans for his travel and asks his brother to look after his farm and family. In Cairo, Hemaidah falls in the hands of a gang, headed by a ruthless gangster. Not wishing to risk his life, he is forced to work with the gang and help them in their crimes. He is introduced to theft and harlotry, and one day the police arrest the gang. Hemaidah spends his time in prison and returns to his village after his release, regretting that he had left it.

Cast
Shukry Sarhan as Hemaidah
Faten Hamama as Zebeidah
Yehia Chahine as Hemaidah's brother, Ibrahim
Mahmoud El-Meliguy as the gang boss
Nader Galal as Hemaidah's son

Directed by Youssef Chahine
Produced by Mary Queeny
Written by Youssef CHAHINE, Fatouh NACHATI, Fairouz Abdel Malek
Alvise ORPHANELLI - Cinematography
Ibrahim HAGGAG - Music
Abbas HELMI - Set Designer

Release date : 1951
Running time 125 minutes
Country Egypt
Language Arabic

FESTIVALS

1952 | Cannes Film Festival
* In Competition