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"In 1957 the public sector in Egyptian cinema was established, followed shortly by the emergence of public-sector film production in 1960, only to end eleven years later, in 1971. Assailed with negativity since its demise, if not earlier, this state adventure in film production was dismissed as a complete failure, financially, administratively and, most importantly, artistically. Although some scholars have sporadically commented on the role played by this sector, it has not been the object of serious academic research aimed at providing a balanced, nuanced general assessment of its overall impact. This issue of Cairo Papers hopes to address this gap in the literature on Egyptian cinema. After discussion of the role played by the public sector in trying to alleviate the financial crisis that threatened the film industry, this study investigates whether there was a real change in the general perception of the cinema, and the government's attitude toward it, following the June 1967 Arab-Israeli war."--
List of contents
Abbreviations
1 Introduction
2 The Emergence of the Public Sector in Egyptian Cinema, 1957-1962
Historical Background: State Management of Cinema Affairs
Cinematic Awakening by Circumstance
CSI Established: Toward a Public Sector in Egyptian Cinema
CSI Reorganized: From a Cinema Supporter to a Film Co-Producer
Conclusion
3 The Expansion of the Public Sector in Egyptian Cinema, 1963-1966
Triggers for Change
The Birth of a New Era of State Involvement in the Film Industry
The Public Sector Expanded: To the Rescue
Conclusion
4 The End of the Public Sector in Egyptian Cinema, 1966-1971
A Struggling GEICRT: Between Inherent Problems, External Problems, and Unexpected Complications
The GEICRT Reorganized: Prevailing over Difficulties On the Heels of the Defeat
The Dissolution of the GEIC
5 Conclusion
Appendix
References
About the Author
About the author
Tamara Chahine Maatouk
Summary
Public and government attitudes to the role of the public sector in Egyptian cinema
In 1957 the public sector in Egyptian cinema was established, followed shortly by the emergence of public-sector film production in 1960, only to end eleven years later, in 1971. Assailed with negativity since its demise, if not earlier, this state adventure in film production was dismissed as a complete failure, financially, administratively and, most importantly, artistically. Although some scholars have sporadically commented on the role played by this sector, it has not been the object of serious academic research aimed at providing a balanced, nuanced general assessment of its overall impact.
This issue of Cairo Papers hopes to address this gap in the literature on Egyptian cinema. After discussion of the role played by the public sector in trying to alleviate the financial crisis that threatened the film industry, this study investigates whether there was a real change in the general perception of the cinema, and the government’s attitude toward it, following the June 1967 Arab–Israeli war.
Foreword
Public and government attitudes to the role of the public sector in Egyptian cinema
