Mohamed Bayoumi

Early Egyptian film

Rare footage of Saad Zaghloul's return from exile in 1923 and the Egyptian reception of him, filmed by Egyptian cinema pioneer Mohamed Bayoumi.

It is the story of two friends, one a Muslim, Sheik Metwalli, and the other a Coptic Christian, Barsoum, both unemployed, suffering from hunger, and competing for a job in a bank. When the bank’s director mistakes them for wealthy businessmen, he takes them to his home for a lavish lunch. But upon learning their actual status, he chases them out of the house. At the film’s conclusion, as the two friends rest on the sidewalk absorbing their long-overdue meal, they are arrested by a policeman.

It is the story of two friends, one a Muslim, Sheik Metwalli, and the other a Coptic Christian, Barsoum, both unemployed, suffering from hunger, and competing for a job in a bank. When the bank’s director mistakes them for wealthy businessmen, he takes them to his home for a lavish lunch. But upon learning their actual status, he chases them out of the house. At the film’s conclusion, as the two friends rest on the sidewalk absorbing their long-overdue meal, they are arrested by a policeman.

Directed by Mohamed Bayoumi.