If you're a movie buff, chances are you've come across at least one Egyptian film that reminds you of...... another film. No, it's not déjà vu; there are indeed strong resemblances between several Egyptian films and well-known Western productions from Hollywood and Europe.
This, of course, raises the question of creativity and authenticity in the Egyptian film industry. Egyptian film critic, Tarek el-Shinnawi, claims the “trend” of copying Western movies denotes a “bankruptcy of ideas” among members of Egypt’s film industry, and even appeared on local television, accusing certain filmmakers of copyright infringement.
With the earliest example of a knock-off film being "Sawwa2 Nos el-Leil" from 1958, which is based on "They Drive by Night" - a 1940 Hollywood movie, the 'trend' is not a new one.
Here are 26 Egyptian productions with eyebrow-raising plot - and movie poster -similarities to Western ones:
"El-2erd Beytkallem" - "Now You See Me"
"San3a f Masr" - "Ted"
"Hassan w Bo2loz" - "Stuck on You"
"Captain Masr" - "Mean Machine"
"El-7arb el-3alemeyya el-Salisa" - "Night at the Museum"
"Khadema wa Lakin" - "Pretty Woman"
"Khaleeg Ne3ma" - "Sleeping with the Enemy"
"Teer Enta" - "Bedazzled"
"Gawaza Mary" - "This Means War"
"Amn Dawlat" - "The Pacifier"
"7abibi Na2eman" - "Shallow Hal"
"Game Over" - "Monster in Law"
"7alawet el-Roo7" - "Malena"
"1000 Mabrook" - "Groundhog Day"
"3ala Gossety" - "Just Like Heaven"
"Asif 3la el-Ez3ag" - "A Beautiful Mind"
"El-7assa el-Sab3a" - "What Women Want"
"El-Torbeeny" - "Rain Man"
"7ad Same3 7aga?" - "Stranger than Fiction"
"Ga2ena el-Bayyan el-Taly" - "I Love Trouble"
"3arees mn Geha Amneyya" - "Father of the Bride"
"Amir el-Zalam" - "Scent of a Woman"
"Shams el-Zanaty" - "The Magnificent Seven"
"El-Wahm" - "Vertigo"
"Azkiyya2 lakin Aghbeyya2" - "Some Like it Hot"
"Agd3 Nas" - "Best of the Best"
Are these Egyptian movies merely adaptations, or downright knock-offs? Let us know what you think!
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By Salma Thanatos Rizk
