write by a nobel prize winner ( naguib mahfouz for his life work and include this story ) . midaq alley be a remake of the 1963 movie list on imdb a represent zouqâq al midaqq ( 1963 ) . aka alley of the pestle ( 1963 ) ( international represent english title ) which be itself an excellent movie . very minor spoiler go forward representthe character in both movie stick closely to the story and the mexican version benefit from freedom of expression in many shot while the egyptian version have to hint behaviour ( homosexuality for example ) to avoid censor scissors . it amaze me how a story about character in cairo in the 40 could fit so closely in mexico city half a world away . tell you something about the similarity in human nature and behaviour . very minor detail have to be change to suite historical fact . a an example and when the two boy run away to collaborate with the occupy british force in the egyptian film and they try to cross the border illegally to the u in the mexican version . both give the same effect a socially unacceptable behaviour within their perspective society . all actor put convince performance and beautiful salma hayek dazzle a usual .