In Egypt, a year before the start of British colonial rule in 1882, precious objects from the Tanite dynasty begin appearing on the black market. Two brothers are made aware that the Horabat tribe have been secretly raiding the tombs of the Pharaohs in Thebes and are left with a decision to make when archaeologists arrive to investigate. Based on a true story, this absorbing drama is often regarded as one of the greatest Egyptian films ever made. Restored by the World Cinema Foundation at the Cineteca di Bologna.

This screening will be preceded by a short talk by Professor Walter Armbrust (Faculty of Oriental Studies, University of Oxford) and a live musical performance by Oud player Tarik Beshir (Oxford Maqam). Professor Walter Armbrust’s talk briefly contextualises The Night of Counting the Years both within the nationalised Egyptian cinema of the Nasser era, and as a decolonial work that makes an intriguing contrast with European and American imaginings of Egyptian Pharaonic heritage.

Running order:
15:00 Doors open
15:30 Speaker intro – Professor Walter Armbrust
15:40 Oud performance – Tarik Beshir
16:00 The Night of Counting the Years screening begins

Supported by TORCH as part of the Humanties Cultural Programme.