Egyptian Cinema in

the 20th century

Nour Fawzi-900212916
Mariam Sakr 900211540
Hala AlGazzar-900212583
 About us:
Nour Fawzi Mariam Sakr Hala Al Gazzar
● I graduated from a french ● I was an IGCSE student
● Born and raised in
school ● I used to work in a nursery
Kuwait
● I like travelling during summer
● Medical school
● I used to draw and paint. ● I love acting
Table of Contents
1 2 3 4 5
Introduction 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s

6 7 8 9 10

1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s Dead Person

 01
Introduction
Importance of the Egyptian Cinema
● Egyptian cinema became an influential force in the Arab world, with popular actors like

Omar Sharif and Faten Hamama.

● Egyptian films have a wide audience across the Arab world, with many people tuning in to

watch popular Egyptian movies and TV shows.

● Egyptian cinema has influenced the development of the Arab film industry, with many Arab

filmmakers citing Egyptian films as an inspiration.

● The success of Egyptian cinema has helped to position Egypt as a cultural hub in the region,

attracting international attention and talent.

● In November 1896, several venues in Alexandria and Cairo hosted some of the

earliest-known screenings of the world’s first short film directed by the French Lumière

Brothers. It was the first screening of a motion picture in Egypt.

02
1920s
 1920s - The Silent Era
● Silent Era: when films did not have synchronized sound or dialogue

tracks, but instead relied on live music, sound effects, and subtitles to

explain the story.

● “Laila” (1927) was the first egyptian motion picture movie

It was directed by Wedad Orfi & Stéphane Rosti.

Cast: Wedad Orfi and Aziza Amir

● 1923: the first studio to be established by an Egyptian, Mohamed Laila (1927)

Bayoumi.
 Popular Themes of the Silent Era
● Nationalism: The silent era in Egypt witnessed a surge of nationalistic sentiments. The
films reflected the nation's struggles for independence from British colonial rule. They
portrayed Egypt as a country with a rich cultural heritage, and the characters often
represented the common people who fought for their rights and freedom.
● Love and Romance: Love and romance remain a popular theme in the silent era in Egypt.
The films showcased the Egyptian society's conservative values, and the characters' love
story often had to overcome social barriers and traditions. The romance plot often
revolved around the conflicts between wealthy families and the lower class.
● Historical Epics: These films offered valuable insights into the country's ancient history
and the civilization that flourished along the Nile River.
 Popular Themes of the Silent Era:
● Social realism: The silent era in Egypt saw an emergence of films that depicted

the social and economic hardships of the working class and the poor. These

films inspired social change and called for better living and working conditions

for the underprivileged.

● Comedy: Comedy was a popular genre in the silent era in Egypt. The films were

often light-hearted, and the humor relied on slapstick, wordplay, and physical

comedy. Humour was used as a form of entertainment and an escape from the

hardships of daily life

 Significant films of 1920s:
In the Land of Tutankhamun (‫ﻓﻲ ﺑﻼد ﺗوت‬ Barsoum Looking for a Kiss in the Desert (‫)ﻗﺑﻠﺔ ﻓﻲ اﻟﺻﺣراء‬
‫)ﻋﻧﺦ أﻣون‬ Job (‫)ﺑرﺳوم ﯾﺑﺣث ﻋن وظﯾﻔﺔ‬ 1928
1923 silent movie 1923

Director: Victor Rosito Mohamed Bayoumi Ibrahim Lama

Cast: Fawzi Mounib, John Marbert Fawzi Mounib Badr Lama

03
1930s
1930s: The Golden Age of Cinema
● It is the introduction of sounds in films.
● it was impossible to differentiate technically between Egyptian,
American, Italian and French films.
● In 1935, Studio Misr, financed by Talaat Harb, emerged as a hub of

cinematic creativity and produced many of Egyptian classic films and

became the Egyptian equivalent to Hollywood’s major studios.
Famous directors and
actors in 1930s:
1. Mohamed Bayoumi - director

2. Anwar Wagdi - actor and director

3. Fatma Rushdi - actress

4. Mahmoud Zulfikar - actor

5. Faten Hamama - actress

6. Salah Zulfikar - actor

7. Farid Shawky - actor

8. Kamal el-Shennawy - director

9. Serag Mounir - actor

 Significant films of 1930s:
Sons of Aristocrats 1938 Song of the Heart 1932

Director: Mohammed Karim Mario Volpi

Cast: Youssef Wahbi, Amina Rizk Nadra, George Abyad

04
1940s
1940s: The War Years
● It was still the golden era for the Egyptian cinema

● World War II had an impact on the cinema in Egypt :

➔ influenced the themes and content of films produced during and after the war.
➔ limited access to imported foreign films due to the war, there was a surge in
local film production to meet the demand of Egyptian audiences. This led to an
increase in the number of Egyptian films being made, which contributed to the
growth of the Egyptian film industry.
➔ Nationalistic Themes
➔ Propaganda Films
Propaganda Film during the War
Battle at the Harbor (Seraa' Fi Al-Mina) 1944

Director: Youssef Chahine

bravery and heroism of Egyptian sailors

05
1950s
1950s - The Decade of Musical Films
● Rise of musical films featuring iconic singers and actors.

● Abdel Halim Hafez: was another legendary singer who achieved great success in both

music and film. He starred in iconic musical films such as "Dalila" (1956)

● Shadia: an actress and singer, rose to prominence during this period and became one

of the leading stars in Egyptian cinema. She appeared in numerous musical films. "Afrit

Meraty" (My Wife’s ghost , 1956).

Shadia Abdel Halim Hafez

06
1960s
1960s: The Social Realism Era
● Egyptian cinema underwent a significant transformation, shifting towards social realism and
addressing political themes. This shift was a response to the political and social changes
that were taking place in the country, particularly the 1952 revolution that overthrew King
Farouk and established a republic.
● with the new political climate, filmmakers began to explore social issues, such as poverty,
inequality, and labor rights. They also began to address political themes such as nationalism,
anti-colonialism, and resistance against authoritarianism.
● realist writers like Naguib Mahfouz,Ihsan Abdel Quddus and Yusuf Idris
● Salah Abu Seif (1915–1996) is known as the father of Egyptian film realism, especially after
his 1951 film Lak yawm ya Zalim (Your Day Will Come)
●
Bab Al Hadid 1958
● Directed by Youssef Chahine

● a social drama that shows the harsh living

conditions and exploitation of workers at

Cairo's main railway station, and the tragic

consequences of a frustrated worker's love

for a beautiful vendor.

Bab Al Hadid (1958)

The Land (1969)
● Directed by Youssef Chahine

● addressing issues of land reform and the struggle

for independence from colonial powers.

● Cast: Yehia Chahine, Ezzat El Alaili

The land (1969)

07
1970s
1970s - The “Commercial” Era
● During this period, the number of films produced annually in Egypt increased
significantly, and the industry became more organized, professional, and
profit-driven.
● new technologies such as color film and sound systems.
● Mahmoud Yassin, and Samir Ghanem were the famous 2 actors during this
time.

Khali Balak men Zouzou (1972) Orid Halan (1975)

08
1980s
1980s: Transitional Period
● The 1980s saw the Egyptian film industry in decline, but there was still notecable films
during this period.
● The number of films produced also declined.
Egyptian Story (Hadouta The Peacock (Al Taous)1982 The Innocent 1986
Masreya) 1982

Director: Youssef Chahine Kamal Al Sheikh Atef Al Tayeb

Mohsen Mohieddin, Nour Salah Zoulfakar, Nour El Sherif Ahmed Zaki, Mahmoud Abdel
El-Sherif Aziz
09
1990s
1990s:
● Egyptian film began to see a huge difference in quality and
international recognition.
3 Famous films:
The Terrorist 1994 Al Kit Kat 1991 The Belly Dancer and the
Politician 1990

Director:Nader Galal Daoud Abdel Sayed Samir Seif

Adel Imam Mahmoud Abdel Aziz Nabila Ebeid, Salah Qabil

Conclusion:
● The Egyptian Cinema went through several phases but managed to stay
noticeable and influential with many famous actors and actresses such as
:
- Omar Al Sherif
- Adel Imam
- Ahmed Zaki
- Rushdy Abaza
- Faten Hammama
- Souad Hosny
- Shadia

● Famous directors:
- Youssef Chahine
- Mahmoud Zoulfakar
 10
Dead Person
Dalida (1933-1987): Nour
● Dalida was an Italian-French singer.

● She sold over 140 million records worldwide in her career

● She won several awards, including the Medaille de la Chanson Francaise

and the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres.

● Her songs: "Paroles Paroles," and "Salma Ya Salama."

● Dalida suffered from depression and committed suicide in 1987 at the

age of 54.

● She is regarded as a style icon and inspiration for many artists in the

music industry.

Dalida (1963)
 Souad Hosny: Mariam
● soad Mohamed hosny

● 1943 ( Ataba) - 2001 ( London)

● Famous egyptian Actress

● Known as “ cinderella of Egyptian Cinema

● She ascended to stardom in the end of the 1950s, performing in more than 83

films between 1959 and 1991

● Hosny started her career at a very young age, through singing Okht El Qamar

(Sister of the Moon) in the famous radio children program Baba Sharo.

● A family friend, Abdel Rahman el-Khamissy (a writer / director) discovered her

acting talent and asked an Arabic language teacher at the time to give her singing Souad Hosny (1972)
lessons
Shadia: Hala
● Fatma ahmad kamal shaker

● Egyptian actress and singer

● Born: 8 Feb 1931

● Died: 28 November 2017 because of a coma

● She was famous for her roles in light comedies and drama (1950 and 1960)

● She performed in 100 films.

● She was also known of her many patriotic songs.

YouTube - ‫ﺷﺎدﯾﺔ ﯾﺎ ﺣﺑﯾﺑﺗﻰ ﯾﺎ ﻣﺻر‬ ●

● She was the third wife for Salah Zulfikar. (actor , producer)

● She was considered as the most successful comprehensive Egyptian and Arabic artist of all time

● Her first appearance was in a film was called "Azhar wa Ashwak" 1947 (Flowers and Thorns), and her last film

was "La Tas'alni Man Ana" 1984 (Don't Ask Me Who I Am).
References:
A Century of Egyptian Cinema. (n.d.). Golden Globes. https://www.goldenglobes.com/articles/century-egyptian-cinema

Aladdin, A. (n.d.). Egyptian Cinema | Cinema of Egypt - AskAladdin. Ask Aladdin, the Middle East Travel Experts Guides.
https://www.ask-aladdin.com/all-destinations/egypt/category/egypt-travel-tips/page/cinema-of-egypt

Eltouby, N. (2018, March 27). 9 Movies From The 90’s That Egyptians Don’t Get Tired Of. Identity Magazine.
https://identity-mag.com/9-movies-90s-egyptians-dont-get-tired/

Pérez, R. (2014). 10 Things You Didn’t Know About Egyptian Cinema. Culture Trip.
https://theculturetrip.com/africa/egypt/articles/10-things-you-didn-t-know-about-egyptian-cinema/#:~:text=Melodrama%20and
%20Bedouin%20love%20adventures,)%2C%20directed%20by%20Wedad%20Orfi.

Realism - Egypt - film, wife, director, cinema. (n.d.).

http://www.filmreference.com/encyclopedia/Criticism-Ideology/Egypt-REALISM.html

The golden age of Egyptian cinema - Focus - Al-Ahram Weekly. (n.d.). Ahram Online.
https://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/50/1209/366778/AlAhram-Weekly/Focus/The-golden-age-of--Egyptian-cinema-.asp
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