The Egyptian film industry is more than a century old. It all began in 1896 with a limited number of silent films. Then, in 1927, the first full-length feature, Layla, was released.
With the release of Awlad El Zawat - the country's first talking picture - in 1932, Egypt took it to another level.
From then on, Egyptians films have reserved a place for themselves in the regional scene, and this is why Egyptians - especially those who are proud of their cinematic heritage- took to Twitter with a viral hashtag: اشهر_جمل_في_السينما_المصريه#, which translates to, "The most famous lines in Egyptian Cinema," to celebrate their country's film industry.
The thread includes some timeless lines from Egyptian films - new and old - some of which are too hilarious, others too on point not to share.
The thread is long, but we selected the best of the best!
1. Search me if you dare!
Egyptians have been using this one ever since Ismael Yassin said it to a policeman in the comedy movie Ibn Hamidu in1957.
2. He can't stop it!
This is from a 1988 comedy film titled Batal min Waraq (paper-hero). In the film, Mamdouh Abd El-Aleem plays the role of a young novelist who discovers a bomb on the train he's aboard.
El-Aleem >freaks out and tells the police that the person that planted the bomb doesn't know how to defuse it.
3. This marriage is not valid!
This famous line is from the 1969 film Shei' Min al-Khawf (Some Share of Fear), where a mob of villagers surrounds the house of the village tyrant and condemn his forced marriage to one of the women.
4. Looking for some lyrics for your new song?
These hilariously epic lines from the 1985 film Al Keif, are everything.
Many poets must have jumped off a cliff after hearing the words! :D
5. Shoot him, but don't hurt him!
In the 1973 comedy Al Bahth an Fedeeha (Looking for a Scandal), a girl awakens only to find a man in her room. She screams: "Groom!"
Her father shows up and proclaims that the man now has to marry her. The man, naturally, runs away and the father goes after him, at which point the girl implores her father: ">Shoot him, but don't hurt him, dad!"
6. Old is gold
Just a cheeky fellow pestering a passer-by by repeating the phrase: "There is nothing more valuable than one's honor".
This classic is from the 1958 film, Ahebbak ya Hassan (I love you, Hassan).
7. Violence is not the answer
"The government doesn't have an arm to be twisted," i.e. you can never exert pressure on the authorities. This line is used by the minister of interior while demanding the release of the hostages in the 1992 comedy Al Irhab wel Kabab (>Terrorism and Kebab).
8. Captain Hanafi arguing with his wife
Another line from the 1957 comedy picture Ibn Hamidu.
Think men don't yield? Well not in this film. All it took for Hanafi to back down were his wife's persistent objections.
Good ol' classic comedy.
9. This!
"Why are you closing the door ya Ma3alem?!"
"We're going to dance!"
From the classic 1984 film, El forn (The bakery).
10. True words of wisdom
If someone ever picks on you because of your appearance, here's how you should respond: "What's ugly can never become pretty, and what stinks can never smell so sweet."
This line is from Ismail Yassin's epic comedy film, Ismail Yassine fil Ustul (Ismail Yassine in the Navy), released in 1957.
11. And if you have issues with your height
Just repeat this: "I'm not short, I'm just a tall klutz" from the 1968 comedy film, Motarda Gharameya (Romantic Chase).
We've been saying this one since then! :D
12. So what's your task, again?
Another line from Ismail Yassine fil Ustul (Ismail Yassin in the Navy). This one is inspired by a scene where a navy senior is going over a junior's tasks, and instead of giving a proper answer, he ends up >mumbling endlessly.
13. Hasheesh
From the 1982 film, El 3ar (Shame):
"Tell me, is Hasheesh halal or haram?"
"If it's halal, we consume it, if it's haram, we will *burn* it anyway!"
14. Hypocrisy sells!
This famous line is from the 1968 film Ard al-Nifaq (The land of hypocrisy).
Fouad el-Mohandes, playing the role of a hard-working employee, goes to a shop that sells "morals" in the form of potions. He gets curious and asks: "Which one of these is the best seller?" To which the salesman responds: "Hypocrisy ... most people want hypocrisy."
15. May I have this dance, please?
In this scene from the 1958 romantic film Sayedat Al-Qasr (The Lady of the Palace), Stephan Rosti asks a lady to dance with him, and the resulting misunderstanding is one that Egyptians remember till this day for its sheer hilarity.
Rosti: Madam, may I have this dance?
Fardous Mohamed (not realizing he wanted to dance with her): No one is stopping you my brother, knock yourself out.
Rosti (sarcastically): OK, just a minute, I'll wrap a scarf on my waist (like belly dancers do) and come back to you.
16. We're all corrupt, no exceptions!
This line is from Ahmed Zaki's film Ded el Hokoma (Against the Government), released in 1992.
Playing an attorney, Zaki delivers a seminal speech in which he condemns corruption, negligence, and disregard for human-life.
He asserts that corruption doesn't spare anyone, not even him, and that by being silent about it, everyone becomes complicit.
17. Want someone to respect your human rights?
From Assal Eswed (Black honey), a 2010 Egyptian comedy film.
"I'm an Egyptian citizen and I have Egyptian rights!"
So here, Masri, an Egyptian-American, is arguing with a policeman that the latter has no right to delete photos he took in Egypt.
The scene highlights the bitter-sweet experience of repatriated Egyptians.
18. If you see bullies around
Another hilarious yet wise line from El Nazer (The Principal): "Don't let your physique deceive you."
In this scene, an outlaw is teaching his helpless friend how to defend himself against bullies.
19. When you're having a bad day at work
Remember this line!
"Bless us with some plentiful work, Oh God" from the 1958 romantic comedy film Share' al Hob (Love Street).
Here, the hilarious actor, Abdel Salam Al Nabulsy, is praying to God to provide him with some work to stop him from marrying his rich neighbor.
20. Pass the berfume... I mean the perfume
From the 1961 film, Antara Ibn Shaddad, which tells the story of a famous pre-Islamic era Arab poet.
Those who have seen the movie will remember the spoiled rich man calling on his servant every now and asking for his perfume.