DAILY VARIETY

FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2007

VARIETY.COM/WORLD

By ALI JAAFAR LONDON

Egyptian shingle Good News has another hit on its hands with

the blockbuster opening of laffer “Morgan Ahmed Morgan.”

The pic, which stars Egyptian comic Adel Imam, saw 40,000 admissions on its first day of release Wednesday.

Figure lags behind the 60,000 opening-day admissions last year

for Good News’ record-breaker “The Yacoubian Building,” but

“Yacoubian” opened on 70 screen, while “Morgan” bowed on 25. Beginning Sunday, Good News is expanding the release to 90 screen, nearly half of the total number in Egypt, in what will be the widest-ever release for a comedy in that country.

“It’s great news for us because there are a lot of other comedies around, and we have these many admissions before we’ve even

reached the weekend,” said Good News sales and distribution topper Nour El Tonny.

“Morgan” follows the fortunes of a rich Egyptian businessman

who is convinced by his children to complete his university degree before embarking on a run for parliament. The satire, which pokes fun at endemic corruption in Egyptian society, is a treat for audiences who have otherwise been faced with a glut of slick thrillers, such as Tarek Abdel Moaty’s “Agamista” and Khaled Youssef ’s “Justified

Betrayal.”