Movie culture in Egypt and Italy

Our far-away holiday destinations are running the same movies as at home. Harry Potter, Star Wars, and Lord of the Rings, it seems as though the whole world gets to see the same movies. But who actually goes to see what movies? And what does the country itself produce? We focus the spotlight at random on two countries: Egypt and Italy.
At the beginning of the last century, both countries quickly developed their own movie industry and an authentic movie culture emerged. Movie producers recognise the need for a national cinema, with movies that appeal to large audiences. Melodramas and comedies are popular. Both countries create their own versions of these movie genres, with their own national stars. Movie production is booming and both Egypt and Italy are important movie producers for their regions. Italian movies reach other Western and Southern European countries; Egypt is the most important movie producer for the Arab world.
Both countries have had their Golden Ages, with high production figures, famous actors, and high attendance figures. The seventies were a period of crisis because of the arrival of television. More and more movie theatre operators choose commercial Hollywood productions to compete with television. The indigenous movie production declined dramatically. The films that are still produced generally play to a taste that is strongly influenced by Hollywood and commercial TV stations. At this time, both countries are recovering somewhat from the crisis in their national cinemas.

Italy

Egypt

Movie attendance per person per year

2,1

0,3

Number of movies produced per year

92

16

Imported movies per year

331

220

Imports as % of total production

78%

93%

1st import country

USA

USA

2nd import country

Frankrijk

Italië