Yusef Chahine Alexandria trilogy
I was looking up some information about “Alexandria… New York” film directed by Youssef Chahine, to realize that it is actually the fourth movie… if you are interested in knowing more about the three previous movies that make the Yusef Chahine idea of an autobiography, read on about the Alexandria Trilogy. And by the way it makes a nice last minute Christmas gift 
the information was taken from the some NY movie award website. Movies are:
Alexandria.. Why? / Iskandariyah leh?
The first film in Chahine's autobiographical Alexandria trilogy, ALEXANDRIA, WHY? was a (widely banned) revelation in Arab cinema for its use of first-person narrative and for testing boundaries of cultural identity. In 1942, as Rommel's army nears Alexandria, some cheer the victors, Jews prepare to flee, and a vengeful aristocrat buys British soldiers to seduce and kill them–until he falls in love with one young captive. A young student (Chahine's avatar) adores Shakespeare and Hollywood, dreaming of studying filmmaking in the USA, but as he discovers the lies of European occupation and Americanization, and experiences a sexual awakening, he profoundly reevaluates his identity and allegiances.
An Egyptian Story/ Haddouta Misriya
The young protagonist from ALEXANDRIA, WHY? Has now grown older and is ailing with a (highly symbolic) heart condition, serious enough to require surgery. During the operation, a child embodying his conscience tries Yehia for the crime of betraying his ideals. After a lifetime of witnesses offer testimony, Yehia's conscience loses the trial and–a redundant organ–is expelled from the filmmaker's body. Will the loss be fatal?
Alexandria again and Again/ Iskandariya Kaman u kaman
Taking a stand for democracy, the entire Egyptian film industry goes on a hunger strike. Yehia, a director, joins the strikers. As demand follows demand, Yehia daydreams about Amir, the young actor he loves and whose career he has launched. But then he meets the beautiful Nadia and gradually falls in love with her. After the strike ends, Yehia decides to make a movie with Nadia.
Hi there. I just came across your comments about Youssef Chahine’s movies. I was the kid in Haddouta Masreyya.
No way! Is that true? how was the experience? how did it feel to work with Yusuf Chahine? what did you like and you didn’t? i still think he is the best Arab Director.
Well, it was strange for me, considering that I was ten years old. As for “the best Arab actor,” I also like Salah Abu-Seif a lot.
It pleases me to hear from you. In which way strange? what do you with your life now? did that experience change you in any way? What kind of director was chahine?