The longest, most virulent heat wave in a century shows no signs of abating: all day, every day, Cairenes await evening, and the promise of even a muggy breeze, for relief from the steaming, sweltering, mind-numbing air exhalted by the urban furnance. Then they flock to the Corniche for a glass of tea or a soft drink. Open-air cinemas are also jam-packed: the audience is free to smoke, eat, drink, sing along and bring the children, all of which make a film like An Upper Egyptian at the American University, currently showing, even more enjoyable. The day after its release, all the seats were sold out in the eight cinemas where it was showing. Comedian Mohamed Heneidi's popularity is soaring as fast as the temperature. Then again, some cinemas are air-conditioned...

photo: Randa Shaath