One of Egypt’s most highly regarded filmmakers, Yousry Nasrallah was born in Cairo in 1952. He studied economics and political science before moving to Lebanon, where he worked as a journalist. His career in film began as an assistant to Volker Schlöndorff on his film Die Fälschung, followed by him assisting Youssef Chahine on his well-known works Al-Dhakira and Adieu Bonaparte, which he also co-wrote. Nasrallah’s films have been screened at festivals around the world since his 1988 debut Summer Thefts. Produced by Youssef Chahine, the film made a significant contribution to the revival of Egyptian cinema. He carried on his collaboration with Chahine as co-director of Alexandria Again and Forever (1990) and Cairo as Seen by Chahine (1991). Both Mercedes (1993) and El Medina (1999) competed at Locarno Film Festival. The latter was awarded the Special Jury Prize. The Gate to the Sun (2004) was presented at Cannes Film Festival. The Aquarium (2008) at Berlin International Film Festival, and Scheherazade, Tell Me a Story (2009) at Venice International Film Festival. He competed for the Palme d’Or with After the Battle in 2012 and in 2016 with Brooks, Meadows and Lovely Faces. The last one, a wedding-themed comedy-drama, was invited to Locarno Film Festival as well as Toronto International Film Festival. His much-celebrated films are known for depicting Egypt’s social and political complexities.