Egypt is a transcontinental country that spans the northeast corner of Africa and the southwest corner of Asia. It is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, the Gaza Strip of Palestine and Israel to the northeast, the Red Sea to the east, Sudan to the south, and Libya to the west. The Gulf of Aqaba in the northeast separates Egypt from Jordan and Saudi Arabia. Cairo is the capital and largest city of Egypt, while Alexandria, the second-largest city, is an important industrial and tourist hub at the Mediterranean coast. At approximately 100 million inhabitants, Egypt is the 14th-most populated country in the world and the third-most populated in Africa, behind Nigeria and Ethiopia.
It is the setting of the 2022 mystery thriller film Death on the Nile, directed by Kenneth Branagh and based on the 1937 novel of the same name by Agatha Christie.
Some of the locations that appear in the film are:
Cairo, the capital and largest city of Egypt, where Poirot meets his friend Bouc and his mother Euphemia, and where he first encounters Linnet Ridgeway-Doyle and Simon Doyle, the newlywed couple who become the center of the murder mystery.
The Nile River, the longest river in Africa and a vital source of life for Egypt. The film depicts the river as a glamorous and exotic backdrop for the voyage of the Karnak, the steamer that carries Poirot and the other passengers. The river also serves as a symbol of death and rebirth, as it is where Linnet is killed and where Poirot reveals the truth behind her murder.
The GizaPyramids, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The film shows the pyramids as a majestic and awe-inspiring sight that impresses Poirot and the other travelers. The pyramids also represent the ancient history and culture of Egypt, as well as its mystery and intrigue.
The Sphinx, an iconic ancient Egyptian monument, is shown in its grandeur against the backdrop of the pyramids. This visual representation adds to the film's atmospheric setting and enhances the narrative's connection to its Egyptian locale.
Abu Simbel, a complex of two massive rock-cut temples in southern Egypt, near the border with Sudan. The film portrays Abu Simbel as a stunning and romantic destination, where Linnet and Simon spend their honeymoon night. The temples also reflect the power and glory of Pharaoh Ramesses II, who built them in honor of himself and his favorite wife Nefertari.
Philae, an island in Lake Nasser that hosts an ancient temple complex dedicated to the goddess Isis. The film depicts Philae as a serene and beautiful place, where Poirot meets Jacqueline de Bellefort, Linnet's former friend and Simon's ex-fiancée, who has been following them throughout their trip. Philae also symbolizes the role of women and love in Egyptian mythology, as Isis was the goddess of magic, healing, and marriage.
