Who directed Alexandria… Why??

Alexandria… Why? was directed by Youssef Chahine.

Who stars in Alexandria… Why??

Alexandria… Why? stars Mohsen Mohey ElDein, Mahmoud El Meligy, Mohsena Tawfiq.

How long is Alexandria… Why??

Alexandria… Why? has a runtime of 133 minutes.

What is the content rating of Alexandria… Why??

Alexandria… Why? is rated NR.

Which country is Alexandria… Why? from?

Alexandria… Why? is a production from Egypt.

MovieAugust 23, 1979MaghrebNR133 minWatch on: Criterion Channel

Alexandria… Why?

Name: Alexandria… Why?
Genre: Drama, War
Released: 1979-08-23
Duration: 133 min
Rating: 6.5
Cast: Mohsen Mohey ElDein, Mahmoud El Meligy, Mohsena Tawfiq, Abdullah Mahmoud, Ahmed Zaki

إسكندرية ليه؟

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Drama War

At a glance

Alexandria… Why?, is a 1979 Egyptian movie, directed by Youssef Chahine, and starring Mohsen Mohey ElDein, Mahmoud El Meligy, Mohsena Tawfiq, with a runtime of 133 minutes. Content rating: NR.

Overview

Amid the poverty, death, and suffering caused by World War II, 18-year-old Yehia retreats into a private world of fantasy and longing. Obsessed with Hollywood, he dreams of studying filmmaking in America but struggles to pursue his dream, given the constraints of his life in the middle class and the horrors of war.

Last updated: August 2, 2026

Cast

Mohsen Mohey ElDein

Yehia

Mahmoud El Meligy

Shukri Murad, Yehia's Father

Mohsena Tawfiq

Yehia's Mother

Abdullah Mahmoud

Mohsen

Ahmed Zaki

Ibrahim

Naglaa Fathy

Sarah Sorel

Ahmed Mehrez

Adel Bey

Gerry Sundquist

Thomas "Tommy" Friskin

Laila Hamada

Nadia

Farid Shawqy

Shaker Bey, Mohsen's Father

Zeinab Sedky

Grandmother

Ezzat Al Alaily

Morsi

Youssef Wahby

Sorel

Yehia Chahine

British Ambassador

Laila Fawzy

Princess Chahinour

Crew

Youssef Chahine

Director · Producer · Writer

Mohsen Zayed

Writer

Fouad El-Zahry

Composer

Full cast & crew

Photos

Trivia, Quotes & Goofs

Trivia

Alexandria... Why? is a 1979 Egyptian drama film directed by Youssef Chahine. It was entered into the 29th Berlin International Film Festival, where it won the Silver Bear - Special Jury Prize. The film was selected as the Egyptian entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 52nd Academy Awards, but was not accepted as a nominee.