The Champion

On the eve of the 1919 revolution in Egypt, the friendship between Houda al-Najjar, who likes boxing, Petro, who likes to sing, and the good worker of the printing press, believes in revolution. Fatima, the sister of Houda, is in love with Hussain, and they marry. The revolution takes place, and Houda dreams of shaking hands with its leader, Saad Zaghloul, and dreams of participating in the 1924 Olympics as a boxer. Hasan is imprisoned for his involvement in resisting the British occupation, and Huda is married to a neighbor of Hanifa. Hassan was killed by the Israeli occupation forces and Houda was able to participate in the Olympics

Directed by Magdy Ahmed Aly, The Champion leans on a strong ensemble — Ahmed Zaki, Mostafa Qmar, Mohamed Henedi — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about drama titles of 1997.