Cairo Station (1958) 

Sat. May 9 

Doors – 3:30 PM  

Organ Overture – 4:00 PM  

Film – 4:30 PM  

Tickets - $ 

1hr 17min | NR | Crime/Drama| Egypt 

Presented with the Arab American National Museum for the Arab Film Festival 

The Senate Theater, as part of the 2026 Arab Film Festival, is excited to screen Cairo Station, a masterpiece from Egypt’s golden age of cinema. Now newly restored, this crime drama blends influences from Italian neorealism and film-noir to tell a story of class conflict, violence and sexual repression.  

Released at the height of Egyptian cinema, when it was the world’s third largest industry, this film was directed by the legendary and acclaimed Youssef Chahine. Chahine, who also stars in the film and would have turned 100 years old this year, took advantage of the short period between the fall of the Egyptian monarchy and the nationalization of the film industry to push boundaries. Much revered by the international film community, he was an artist who rankled authorities and challenged his audience.  

Cairo Station, for example, tells of a newspaper seller’s sexual obsession in a city rocked by a serial killer’s spree. Its controversial themes, bold style, dark tone, and sympathetic portrayal of a victim of sexual violence made Egyptian audiences uncomfortable. More accustomed to happy endings and straightforward melodrama, Cairo Station was a box-office failure at home but was a film festival favorite abroad. Still, it was quickly forgotten. 

Thankfully critics and cinephiles, along with generations of Arab filmmakers saw its value, reviving its reputation starting in the 1970s. Now you can see this provocative and influential classic on the big screen as it was meant to be experienced, fully restored and with an introduction from Dr. Matthew Jaber Stiffler of the Arab Film Festival. 

Parking is available in our gated lot, on Gilbert, and Michigan Avenue