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The Ring Seller

The Ring Seller (1965)

Jan 02, 1965 1h 31m Drama Music

In a peaceful village, the mayor, seeing that the population is bored with tranquility, invents the mystical figure of Rajeh, and tells stories to villagers about the exploits of Rajeh, who kills and maims and steals. One day the mayor tells the villagers that Rajeh is heading to the village itself and they better be careful. Two smart men notice that the mayor was lying and that it is all his imagination. So they go on making good on the fictitious person and steal money and assault the mayor in the dark saying that they were Rajeh. Eventually, an old man with the name of Rajeh arrives in the village, amid public fears. Then it became obvious that Rajeh was merely a seller of rings for weddings and he wanted to marry his son to Rima, the mayor's niece. The two bad guys willingly go to jail for making use of the mayor's joke.

Directed by Youssef Chahine

Cast

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Fairuz
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Fairuz

as Rima

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Nasri Shamseddine

as El Moukhtar

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Joseph Azar

as Rajeh

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Phelemone Wehbe

as Sabeh

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Joseph Nassif

as Fadlo

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Elie Choueiri

as Eid

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Mansour Rahbani

as Makhoul

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Salwa Haddad

as Zbayda

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William Hasswani

as Al Shaweesh

huda haddad
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huda haddad

as Layla

Crew

Director
  • Youssef Chahine
Writer
  • Sabri Sherif
  • Mansour Rahbani
  • Assi Rahbani
Producer
  • Nader Al Atassy

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Thematic Analysis

As a dramatic work, The Ring Seller examines complex human relationships and emotional struggles against the backdrop of a period setting that reflects societal issues of its time. The character development particularly stands out, offering viewers a chance to reflect on their own life journeys.

Director Youssef Chahine brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to character development and emotional depth creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.

Released in 1965, the film exists within a cultural context that now offers viewers historical perspective on the social issues of that era. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.

Did You Know?

  • The production of The Ring Seller took approximately 36 months from pre-production to final cut.
  • The final cut of the film runs for 91 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 129 minutes long.
  • Some visual effects sequences took up to 8 months to complete.
  • The director insisted on using practical effects whenever possible, reserving CGI for only the most necessary scenes.
  • The screenplay went through 11 major revisions before the final shooting script was approved.

Historical Context

  • In 1965, when this film was released:
  • Counterculture movements were challenging traditional values.
  • The space race between the USSR and USA was at its height.
  • The film industry was dominated by major studios, with independent cinema still in its early development.

How This Film Stands Out

Details

  • Release Date: January 2, 1965
  • Runtime: 1h 31m

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