The International

Ahmed Medhat's 2009 Egyptian film follows Malek, playing for a small club. His talent is noticed, he moves to a large club and is then called up to the national side. The film gives the rise quickly and takes what follows as its real subject. Agents, sponsors and the press begin shaping Malek's decisions; the narrative keeps the economics of football in the background. Youssef El Sherif leads. The match sequences take wide space and were shot in real stadiums. The narrative follows the melodrama form and makes its emotional emphasis openly. Who it's for: those who like Egyptian popular cinema and sports films. Who it's not for: viewers expecting football treated seriously; the film uses it as ground for a career story.