8½

Fadel and his colleagues Aziz and Hamdi are trying to make their way in life, and they hold advanced degrees, but luck does not crown their endeavor with success. Fadel visits his aunt Alawiya, who runs a private institute for girls in a traditional way, and asks to work in the institute, but she refuses. The three decide to establish a modern institute, similar to the aunt’s institute. To compete with her, to teach girls to be modern.

In wartime England, railway official Ruben Roberts discovers that his wife was sexually abused as a child by the Chairman of the Line, also her godfather. With her assistance, Ruben plots murder on the Brighton Express.

A married farmer falls under the spell of a slatternly woman from the city, who tries to convince him to drown his wife.

A Spanish soldier falls under the spell of a fiery gypsy girl named Carmen. His obsession with her leads to his ruin.

A weekend at a marquis’ country château lays bare some ugly truths about a group of haut bourgeois acquaintances.