CIFF Screens "Rizk Cinema" to Honor Festival's Godfather

The 41st edition of the Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF41) paid tribute to the late Egyptian critic and godfather Youssef Cherif Rizkallah, screening the documentary "Rizk Cinema" at the Hanagar, Cairo Opera House.

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Rizkallah was honored for his long commitment and dedication to the festival since its inception and despite the succession of its presidents, the 41st edition and the general award bore his name.

The documentary included remarks by filmmakers and artists, all of whom are his followers, with a plethora of commemorative photos from his 40-year journey with cinema, showing his shift from politics to cinema, research and media coverage, on his trip with the festival as an art director and godfather to portray critics.

Although the film tickets were sold out, CIFF decided to rescreen it at the small opera theater instead of the French drama film "Proxima".

It is noteworthy that the "Rizk Cinema" was directed by Egyptian Abdel Rahman Nasr and CIFF production. Up to 20 artists joined the documentary and talked about their relationship with Rizkallah, including screenwriter Wahid Hamed and actress Yousra and Hussein Fahmi. The directors include Yousry Nasrallah, Hala Khalil, Khairy Bishara, Marwan Hamed. Also, Critic Tarek El Shennawy, Cinematographer Mahmoud Abdel Samie, LAFF President Sayed Fouad, and others were among the participants.

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Rizkallah's name has always been associated with the Cairo Film Festival since its first sessions. He began his participation in the Film Selection Committee, before being selected as the artistic secretary of the festival in 1987, then as an art director in 2000 until his departure last July.