THE NIGHTINGALE'S PRAYER [Doa al karawan] (Henry Barakat, Egypt 1959)

Revenge, forbidden desire, and a haunting birdsong converge in one of the great masterpieces of Egyptian cinema. When a young woman is murdered for bringing dishonor upon her family, her sister Amna (the legendary Faten Hamama) vows to avenge her death by seducing the man she holds responsible. But her carefully laid plans take an unexpected turn when hatred begins to give way to feelings she cannot control. Adapted from a celebrated novel by Taha Hussein, Henry Barakat’s ravishingly photographed drama transforms a tale of betrayal and vengeance into a psychologically rich exploration of love, guilt, and the cruel demands of a patriarchal society. At once an intimate romantic tragedy and a devastating indictment of social hypocrisy, The Nightingale’s Prayer is a spellbinding reminder of the extraordinary artistry of Egyptian cinema during its golden age. Frequently ranked among the greatest Arab films ever made, it is a classic that deserves to be discovered by a much wider audience.

Reviews

"An extraordinary melodrama, a critique of patriarchy anyone interested in cinema's treatment of these issues should see."    

— José Arroyo, Notes on Film and Culture 

“One of the greatest films tackling gender inequality in Upper Egypt, as well as a fine tragedy adapted from an author who was a modernist in his support of women’s rights and emancipation.”

—Mayra Nassef, Afikra

“A true timeless masterpiece. Faten Hamama’s performance is absolutely beyond comparison.” 

—Youssra El-Sharkawy, Cinemayaat

"An immensely powerful social melodrama... well-performed, well-written, and well directed."

—Diego Pineda Pacheco, Collider

“An important story of betrayal and love… humane and beautifully made.”

—Pamela Dimitrova, Arab America

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