Massir, al-


Photo Courtesy of the Cannes Film Festival

In 12th century Cordoba, the eminent philosopher Averro's, established an important body of work. The influence of his teachig extended through the Enlightenment and is still felt today. In order to mollify the fundamentalists, the Caliph AI-Mansur orders all of Averro's books to be burnt. Averro's' family and followers decide to make copies of his books and to smuggle them across the border. Despite the pressure put on by the fundamentalists, human knowledge prevails in its journey toward the Other, toward progress.

Directed by: Youssef Chahine
Written by: Youssef Chahine, Khaled Youssef
Starring: Nour El Sherif, Laila Eloui, Hani Salama, Khaled El Nabaoui, Mohamed Mounir, Safia El Emari, Mahmoud Hemida, Magdi Idris
Produced by: Humbert Balsan, Gabriel Khoury