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Famous Cinema Critic and FEPS graduate Youssef Sherif Rizkallah in a special Interview withELITE

A Richer Cinema Culture Requires More State Care

Studying
political
science
allowed me a
better grasp of
state
apparatuses
and news
making

(From left) group photo gathers: our editors Farah Ezzeldin, Sarah Nasr Eldeen, Caroline Kamal (beside) Mr. Rizkallah

Cairo: Sarah Nasr Eldeen, Caroline Kamal and He added that the study of political Despite being enrolled at the
Farah Ezzeldin science helped him to understand the nature faculty of Economics and Political
Mr. Youssef Sherif Rizkallah is one of the of working in the news sector and developed Science, his desire towards the
most famous film critics. Many of us have lots his perception. cinema was the same. Accordingly,
of memories related to him, as he made
numerous TV programs such as “Oscar”, When we asked Mr. Rizkallah about his Mr.Rizkallah worked in the news
“Tele-Cinema”, and “Nady El-Cinema”, but life as a student, he told us that the student sector in the television until he got
the wonder was that he graduated from the activities were a priority for him especially an offer to be a part of “Nady El-
faculty of Economics and Political Science in the theatre as he was interested in arts and Cinema” crew, which was a boost
1966. Thus, «Elite» took the opportunity and cinema since he was a child. The faculty for him to work in what he really
conducted this interview with him in the Film wasn‟t the only place for his activities, he likes.
Festival office in the Downtown. was writing articles for the magazines related
At the beginning, Mr. Rizkallah explained to the cinema besides taking part in the Regarding the cinema culture,
the reasons and circumstances beyond choosing culture salons and the associations which Mr. Rizkallah stated that lots of
the Faculty of Economics and Political Science. care about cinema and any sort of art. He effort is really needed to spread it,
He mentioned that he was ranked fifth among continued talking about these associations and this will be achieved by
the national high school graduates. He added especially the "film association" where a managing the culture salons and the
that his father rejected joining the Cinema film was shown weekly in addition to giving television programs effectively.
Institute before getting the bachelor degree chance to the audience to discuss and According to him, the state has to
from the Faculty of Economics and Political criticize this film. interfere in the film production, as
Science. Since this institute was newly Mr. Rizkallah was also asked about the that interference will make the
established, so there was no assurance for its challenges that face the students and the cinema more stunning and superb.
graduates‟ future to be glorious. Hence, he graduates, and he answered that the hardest He suggested that the state should
joined the faculty in 1961.
one is finding job opportunities which suit establish a way to fund the best
After finishing his studies, he was appointed their studies' nature without favouritism and scenarios. To determine those
in the State Information Service that was part nepotism. Additionally, the effort made by scenarios, a process must be made,
of the National Guidance Service (known later the professors to simplify the information is which starts by establishing a
as the Ministry of Information). Later, the State one of the success factors for the students, committee to evaluate the scenarios
Information Service had organized trainings for besides the professors‟ help to them. and the best gets the fund.
the new members, and Mr. Rizkallah passed it Since his childhood, Mr. Rizkallah did
with an excellent score, as most of the subjects love the cinema and was inspired by it. His He elaborated that the fund will
were taught in the political science major. As a passion continued till he finished the high be saved from the cinema income
result of his excellence in this training, he was school, it was also this passion that had by allocating part of the ticket
transferred to the television staff as a member driven his desires to join the Cinema price, which costs the state only
in the news sector since he was longing to work Institute; however, his father‟s advice little amount of money.
in the television.
changed all his thoughts.

.ELITE. ISSUE 9, JULY 2019 2