🍿 More than 60 years after its premiere, Ailat Zizi remains a quintessential Egyptian cinematic staple. What at first may appear to be a lighthearted family comedy carries director Fatin Abdel Wahab’s unique vision — one that was remarkably modern for the 1960s when it came to family, individualism, and freedom.

Need a refresher? The events of Ailat Zizi unfold within the home of a middle-class Egyptian family that is anything but ordinary. Sabaawi (Fouad El Mohandes) is a character in a state of alienation, attempting to prove his worth through eccentric inventions. El Mohandes delivered a brilliant performance, portraying both the stubbornness of the intelligent and the vulnerability of the insecure.

Meanwhile, Sanaa (Soad Hosny) reflects a growing population of young women in the 60s dreaming of quickfire fame and chasing the silver screen. She shares certain traits with her brother, Sami (Ahmed Ramzy), who exists in a state of absurd rebellion against traditional societal molds, searching for himself through multiple romantic flings — one of which leads him to yoga, of all things.

The family’s matriarch (Aqeela Rateb) is an unusually progressive mother, a stark contrast to the overbearing mother trope prevalent in cinema at the time. She supports her children’s decisions, even those she disagrees with. She acts as the family’s center — not as an oppressive force, but as a guardian of personal space, despite her occasional grumbling.

Zizi, the observer: Abdel Wahab’s directorial approach to the film is what makes it relevant decades later. By relying on a child’s-eye perspective, Abdel Wahab allows the youngest sister, Zizi (Ikram Ezzo), to serve as a neutral observer. Zizi’s vantage point exposes the fragility of adult dreams when faced with the direct, often shocking, innocence and rationality of childhood.

Ailat Zizi is a visually beautiful and brilliantly written film; the characters’ storylines intersect and collide in a visual overlap that mirrors the chaos and confusion within the family. If you’re looking for a nostalgic watch brimming with deep social analysis neatly wrapped in comedy, Ailat Zizi should top your list.

WHERE TO WATCH- You can stream Ailat Zizi on Watch It.

Tags: