In the 1983 film Darb al-Hawa, a khawal (man to woman transvestite) working in a brothel, plays a central role although the two main characters are uncompromisingly heterosexual - an idealistic professor and his beloved - a young prostitute. The film is set in 1930s and 1940s Egypt. The Khawal acts as a social and historical commentator and though wearing heavy make-up nevertheless manages to maintain pride and dignity even while other characters give in to greed or have other serious flaws. In some humorous scenes the khawal jockingly flirts with the brothel's clients and for some time after the film was shown "siksita" was the term used when refering to an effeminate or passive gay man. Seen enough films ? Try a shockingly depraved story - click here ! Is your right hand exhausted by sordid sex stories ? Discover gay destinations in Egypt - click here ! or learn some Arabic sex slang - click here.x  |