30 Days in Prison (1966)
A classic Egyptian comedy-musical in which a cabaret worker agrees to serve his wealthy friend's prison sentence — for a price.
30 Days in Prison - Movie Information
- Original Title: 30 يوم في السجن
- Release Year: 1966
- Directed by: Niazi Mostafa
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Comedy, Drama, Music
- Runtime: 1h 51m
- Original Language: Arabic
- Spoken Languages: Arabic
- Release Date (Theatrical): September 21, 1966 (Egypt)
- Alternative Titles: 30 Youm Fel Segn (EG), 30 Days in Jail (US)
- Production Companies: Ihab El-Leithy films
- Production Countries: Egypt
30 Days in Prison - Plot
Amshir works in a cabaret owned by his wealthy friend Medhat. Medhat is sentenced to a month in prison after he burned the mustache of a wealthy Upper Egyptian man named Al-Najawi. Amshir then goes to prison instead of him in exchange for a sum of money.
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30 Days in Prison - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Niazi Mostafa
Main Cast
- Farid Shawqy
- Madiha Kamel
- Abu Bakr Ezzat
- Nawal Abu ElFottoh
- Mohamed Reda
- Mimi Chakib
- Samir Ghanem
- Samir Sabri
- George Sedhom
- El Deif Ahmed
Writers
- Badie' Khayri
- Niazi Mostafa
- Abdel Hai Adib
- Naguib ElRihani
Producers
- Ehab El Lithy
30 Days in Prison - FAQs
What is 30 Days in Prison about?
30 Days in Prison follows Amshir, a cabaret worker who agrees to serve his wealthy friend Medhat's one-month prison sentence in exchange for money. Medhat lands in jail after burning the mustache of a powerful Upper Egyptian man, and the film mines this absurd premise for comedy, drama, and musical entertainment.
Why does Amshir go to prison in the film?
Amshir isn't the one who committed the offense — his friend Medhat is sentenced after burning the mustache of a wealthy Upper Egyptian named Al-Najawi. Amshir simply agrees to serve the sentence in Medhat's place for a sum of money, setting the whole comic adventure in motion.
Where can you watch 30 Days in Prison online?
You can check all current streaming and viewing options for 30 Days in Prison on JustWatch, which tracks availability across platforms in your region. Options may vary depending on your country, so it's worth checking directly for the most up-to-date information.
Who are the main actors in 30 Days in Prison?
The film boasts a fantastic ensemble. Farid Shawqy and Madiha Kamel lead the cast, joined by Abu Bakr Ezzat, Nawal Abu ElFottoh, Mohamed Reda, Mimi Chakib, and a trio of beloved Egyptian comedians — Samir Ghanem, Samir Sabri, and George Sedhom.
Who directed 30 Days in Prison?
Niazi Mostafa directed the film. A prolific figure in Egyptian cinema, Mostafa was known for his work across comedy and musical genres throughout the mid-twentieth century. He also co-wrote the screenplay alongside Badie' Khayri, Abdel Hai Adib, and Naguib ElRihani.
Is 30 Days in Prison filmed in black and white?
Yes, 30 Days in Prison is a black-and-white production, characteristic of Egyptian cinema from the 1960s. Cinematographer Wadid Sirry handled the photography, lending the film the classic visual style typical of Egyptian comedies and musicals from that era.
What are the alternative titles for this film?
The film is known by a couple of alternative titles depending on the market. In Egypt it's often referred to as 30 Youm Fel Segn, which is a transliteration of the original Arabic title. In the United States it has also been listed as 30 Days in Jail.
What genre is 30 Days in Prison?
It blends comedy, drama, and music into a lively mix that was very popular in Egyptian cinema of the 1960s. The film uses its prison-swap premise to deliver laughs and musical numbers, making it a well-rounded entertainer rather than a straightforward comedy or drama.
More About 30 Days in Prison
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