El Naddaha

Hamed leaves his Upper Egypt town, heading to Cairo in order to work as a doorman in a building. He decides to return to his town for a wife who can become his companion in his new life. Fatheya agrees to marry Hamed, because she will go to Cairo. Ihsan one of the building residents help her by asking her to work for her as a domestic helper, her husband encourages her to work in a hospital or factory. Fatheya slowly learns to read and write helped by Ihsan, while Alaa, another a resident watches her and finds a different kind of women in her. One day, Alaa asked Hamed to go buy him some necessities. But when he leaves, Alaa assaults Fatheya. On his return Hamed is confronted by this situation and decides to wash the shame either by killing Fatheya or return her to the village. He decides to return Fatheya to the village, but Fatheya is tormented by the desire to escape in the vast city. This movie title refers to on old Egyptian legend about El Naddaha (The caller), a nocturnal genie who takes form of a stunningly beautiful woman who seduces men that walk close the river Nile. It's a metaphor for a strong desire that grips one's life. El Naddaha call is considered to be a death omen. The movie is considered one of the best drama of the 1970s Egyptian cinema tackling the social issues of life in the poor farming villages as contrasted by the modern affluent and dazzling lifestyle of modern Cairo. The movie also exposes the predatory behavior of modern young men of Cairo versus the naive wholesome beautiful young women of upper Egypt villages.