Yacoubian Building, The

Synopsis

The Yacoubian Building in Cairo, a monument to a bygone era, is still an eye-catching construction despite obvious signs of decay. The film portrays the lives its residents. One is the aristocratic Zaki, a lazy man living of family wealth with a weakness for women. A neighbor, Bothayna, is a poor young girl, is obliged to sleep with the owner of the shop where she works in order to feed her family and even has to sacrifices the love of her life to that end. Taha, a young man at a crossroads, has developed a troubling interest in Muslim extremism and as a result has his dream of attending the police academy thwarted. Hatem is a respected newspaper editor who has a dangerous secret -- he's gay, and is romantically involved with young soldier. And atop everyone else are Fanous and Malak, living in a hut on the roof that doubles as the laundry facilities. Different people and different stories, all detached from each other, with only one thing bringing them together... the Yacoubian...