The best-selling novel by Alaa Al Aswany and now the film version offer a revealing window into the secular world of a modern Islamic country -- its indulgence in alcohol, sexual promiscuity, political corruption and personal betrayals. [...] post-World War II, the building hosts a cross-section of society as impoverished workers and families occupy the rooftop and now mingle with the nouveau riche, decadent thrill-seekers and bitter ex-Pashas in the crumbling apartments. A young and poor security officer is seduced by a homosexual editor into moving his family nearby so he can be on call for his sexual services.

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