One of the key missions of the 46th Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF), which wrapped up yesterday, is safeguarding the nation’s immense cinematographic history. Beyond the simple technical concern, the CIFF has positioned digital restoration of Egyptian films as an urgent and profound cultural mission to safeguard the nation’s visual heritage.
The process of restoration also took center stage with the key panel discussion, “Digital Restoration: Reviving the Visual Heritage of Arab Cinema.” Bringing together experts, including CIFF President Hussein Fahmy and filmmaker Tamer El-Said, this discussion delved into the delicate balance required to employ modern technology while rigidly maintaining the artistic integrity of these classic works.
Fahmy led the charge with the words, “The restoration efforts will preserve a national treasure and a cultural wealth.” He underlined a huge challenge: more than 1,300 Egyptian films need professional restoration to avoid their irreparable loss to decay. The films are being selected for artistic and historical value by the Holding Company for Cultural and Cinematic Assets Management.
To make this work the centerpiece of the festival, the 46th CIFF screened over 20 restored classics, out of which 10 titles were restored during the festival’s last year’s edition.
All the restored films were subtitled in English to bolster their international appeal for global audiences and educational uses. The restored films include masterpieces such as Qandeel Um Hashim (1968) and Youssef Chahine’s Al-Nas wa Al-Nil (1972), alongside works still in progress, such as four major Chahine films—including The Sparrow (1972)—which are undergoing restoration for the first time.
Crucially, the panel addressed the ethics of preservation. Fahmy firmly rejected the controversial practice of colourisation, stating that films must “remain as they are: black and white,” out of respect for the original artistic vision. Filmmaker El-Said added that restoration is one way to “revitalise cinematic heritage” so that classic films can also resonate with today’s audience. The 46th CIFF has strongly reaffirmed its vital role as a leading force in protecting the visual memory of Arab cinema for future generations by undertaking such massive restoration work.
