The Hurghada Youth Film Festival has selected the poster of The Street Player (Al-Hareef), one of the most celebrated works of acclaimed Egyptian filmmaker Mohamed Khan, as the official emblem of its fourth edition, scheduled to take place from September 10 to 15.
The decision coincides with the tenth anniversary of Khan’s passing and reflects the festival’s commitment to honoring one of the most influential figures in modern Egyptian cinema.
Mohamed El-Basousy, President of the festival, said the choice of The Street Player poster was inspired by the film’s enduring status as a landmark in Khan’s artistic journey. Released in 1983, the film was based on the true story of Saeed El-Hafy, a legendary street football player whose reputation spread throughout Cairo during the 1970s and 1980s.
El-Basousy noted that Khan broke away from conventional cinematic storytelling in the film, opting instead for a character-driven narrative that delves into the psychological complexities of its protagonist. The story explores a man torn between his desire for self-fulfillment and his inability to shoulder the responsibilities of family life and work.
As part of its fourth edition, the festival will screen The Street Player within a newly launched section dedicated to Arab cinema classics, aiming to introduce younger generations to some of the region’s most influential films.
Festival Director Kadry El-Haggar said the selection of the poster reflects the festival’s appreciation of a timeless cinematic work and its broader mission of connecting emerging filmmakers and audiences with the artistic roots of Arab cinema.
He added that The Street Player was part of a collaborative creative movement led by Mohamed Khan, the late director Atef El-Tayeb, editor Nadia Shoukry, and screenwriter Bashir El-Deek. Together, they helped shape a new wave of Egyptian filmmaking through a number of acclaimed productions, including Deadly Jealousy and The Sun Strike.
The festival also revealed that the original poster has been digitally restored by graphic designer Mahmoud Adel specifically for this commemorative edition.
Produced in 1983, The Street Player was written by Bashir El-Deek and Mohamed Khan and starred Adel Emam, Ferdous Abdel Hamid, Nagah El-Mogy, Zizi Mostafa, Abdullah Farghaly, and Abdullah Mahmoud. The film also featured a special appearance by the late film critic Sami El-Salamony and remains one of the defining works of Egyptian realist cinema.
Through its tribute to Mohamed Khan and the revival of one of his most iconic films, the Hurghada Youth Film Festival seeks to celebrate the enduring legacy of a filmmaker whose work continues to influence generations of Arab filmmakers and cinema enthusiasts.
