Youssef Chahine - Egyptian Director Chahine In Coma

Famed Egyptian moviemaker YOUSSEF CHAHINE has fallen into a coma after suffering a brain haemorrhage.

The 82-year-old director was admitted to hospital in Cairo, Egypt on Sunday (15Jun08) and is currently in a "serious condition", according to a spokesman for the city's Ash-Shuruq hospital.

It is reported that Chahine's family have requested for him to be flown to Europe for further treatment.

Chahine won international acclaim for his work in pioneering Egypt's film industry and was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award at France's Cannes International Film Festival in 1997.

The star is also credited with launching the career of fellow Egyptian legend Omar Sharif who shot to fame with roles in 1962's Lawrence of Arabia and Doctor Zhivago in 1965.

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