29th Arab Film Festival Special Presentation: Cairo Station (4K Remaster)

Presented by Arab Film & Media Institute and The Criterion Collection. Co-presented by The Roxie.

Qinawi, a physically challenged peddler who makes his living selling newspapers in the central Cairo train station, is obsessed with Hanuma, an attractive young woman who sells drinks. While she jokes with him about a possible relationship, she is actually in love with Abu Siri, a strong and respected porter at the station who is struggling to unionize his fellow workers to combat their boss’ exploitative and abusive treatment.

Widely regarded as one of the greatest works in Arab and world cinema, Cairo Station premiered at the 1958 Berlin International Film Festival and remains a cornerstone of Egyptian neorealism. Restored in 4K by the Criterion Collection, this revival offers audiences a rare chance to experience Youssef Chahine’s masterpiece as it was meant to be seen—on the big screen, in all its emotional and visual intensity.

The Arab Film and Media Institute (AFMI) is a non profit organization founded by the team behind the largest and oldest Arab Film Festival in North America.