Summer movie season in Egypt heats up

By Mohamed Mahmoud in Cairo
For Al-Shorfa.com
2010-05-19



				[AMR AHMAD/AFP/Getty Images]  Egyptian actor Ahmed Helmy speaks in 2009 after receiving an award for his role in the film 'Asef Ala al-Izaag'.

[AMR AHMAD/AFP/Getty Images] Egyptian actor Ahmed Helmy speaks in 2009 after receiving an award for his role in the film 'Asef Ala al-Izaag'.

The upcoming summer season in Cairo promises fierce competition among the stars of Egyptian cinema, who hope to win over audiences and earn high revenues during a two-month period.

Fifteen films opened in Egyptian cinemas, including four last week: "Nour Eini," "Tilka Al-Ayam," "Asafir Al-Jana" and "Heliopolis." Production companies face limited time constraints this season. Films have less than 60 days to earn revenue—the period between the end of the year exams at universities and high school and the beginning of the month of Ramadan, which starts at the beginning of August.

The battle between four big stars Ahmed Helmy, Mohamed Saad, Ahmed Al-Sakka and Ahmed Makki is expected to be intense.

Comedian Ahmed Helmy's film "Asal Aswad" is at the forefront, as filming concluded recently. It was written by Khaled Diab, directed by Khaled Marei and is a co-production of Albatross and the United Brothers of Cinema.

Starring alongside Helmy are Amy Samir Ghanem, Edward, Yusef Daoud, Lutfi Labib and Inaam Salosa with a soundtrack by Amr Khayrat. Filming lasted eight weeks, and is expected to open in early June.

The film's plot revolves around a young man who spent his life in the United States, then returns to Egypt to see it with a different perspective. The movie sheds light on how foreigners or those living abroad view Egypt, exploring the negatives as well as positives.

The movie "Asal Aswad" follows a string of successes for Ahmed Helmy's films, most recently: "Alf Mabrouk" (2009), "Assef Ala Al-Izaaj" (2008) and "We Keda Reda" (2007). The film "Alef Mabrouk" earned more than 35 million Egyptian pounds.

Also this season, comedic actor Ahmed Makki appears in "La Turajou’ Wala Istislam," which comes after the success of his last two films, "Teir Inta" and "H Dabour."

The film is an Arab Company production, and starring alongside Makki for the third time in a row are Dunia Samir Ghanem, Majid Al-Kadoany, Ezzat Abu Ouf and Dalal Abdul Aziz. Directed by Ahmed Al-Jundi, the comic and action film's plot revolves around chases between the police and a drug gang. Ahmed Makki plays the son of the gang leader. The film opens in mid-June.

Actor Ahmed Al-Sakka is trying to win back fans with his new movie "The Dealer," written by Medhat Al-Adel, directed by Ahmad Saleh and co-starring May Selim and Khaled Mohamed. The film revolves around mafia conflicts over drugs and the world of nightclubs.

Al-Sakka drew a great deal of criticism from his last film, "Ibrahim Al-Abyad," because of the many scenes that contained violence and killings by the film's hero Ibrahim, played by Al-Sakka.

Mohamed Saad is in the same position as al-Sakka. His new film, "8 Giga," will open in June, and Saad hopes to restore the popularity he lost in his last two films, "Bushkash wa Kerker."

Director Ashraf Fayek says the film will show a different side of Mohamed Saad, especially since he plays a lawyer experiencing problems and crises within a comic setting. Starring alongside him is actress May Ezzeddine who plays his wife.

Later in the summer season comes the Tamer Hosni film "Nour Eini," starring Menna Shalabi, Abir Sabri, Marwa Abdul Mone’em and Rami Wahid. The production budget reached 22 million pounds. Tamer Hosni received 8 million pounds while Menna Shalaby received one million pounds. The plot is a love story between a student at the Institute of Arabic Music and a blind girl.

Actor Hany Ramzy is returning to the screen after last season's absence and is preparing for the launch of his new movie, "Al-Rajal Al-Ghamed Bisalamtu," written by comedy writer Bilal Fadel and co-starring Nelly Karim, Shaaban Hussein and Yusuf Daoud.

A comic satire, its plot revolves around a young man working at a private company who seeks to draw attention to himself but finds no way to achieve success except by lying.

Fathi Abdul Wahab is facing a tough test as his current film, "Asafir Al-Jana," generated criticism because of its sex scenes. The film is based on the novel by Ibrahim Aslan and addresses psychological problems experienced by the poor who live in squatter areas in Egypt, which lead to the emergence of terrorists and extremists within society.

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Reader Comments

hussam sbehi2010-10-01 14:00:00

We should not forget Hani Ramzi, Ahmad Helmi, Muhammad Saad, the new star Ahmad Makki, and the great actor Hassan Hosni. Those are the giants of the Arab comedy.

ساندى2010-07-17 21:00:00

Ahmad Helmi is very cooool and I love him verrrrry much.

فايز2010-06-19 15:00:00

Egypt is considered the first in cinematic art in the Arab world, because of its huge production of films. Egypt attaches great importance to the arts and the cinematic productive sector as important contributors of material resources that contribute to the economic development of the country. Lately in particular, the Egyptian cinema has changed to producing poor films in the level of drama, films that do not rely on the idea or content, but rather on the role of action and moves, and failing films which show sexual stimulation and do not represent the Arab reality. The Egyptian cinema has started trying to imitate foreign films in not caring about substance, which was shown in the old Egyptian movies before, and which simulated the reality of Egyptian and Arab societies by expressing their problems and concerns through the idea of drama. Old films had all the meanings of romance; they tried to express a necessary feeling, and criticize negative phenomena, which drew the attention of the people and officials to the existence of these negative aspects and encouraged them to try to solve them. So we note that the old Egyptian films were more popular than the ones being produced today which do not contain much content or a point but they are just attempts at imitations of foreign films. Arab writers have run out of ideas, and directors have started relying on the selection of actors, especially women, on the basis of form, without paying attention to their talent, which is the basis of the success of any film and its impact on the people. So we notice that anyone who watches an Arabic film forgets all of its events as soon as he finishes watching the film, because it does not contain a specific idea to stick in the minds of people. This is the opposite of what we had in the past, where people still remember the actors, the roles they played, and the names of the films in which they participated, because they were moved by those films, as they reflected the reality that they were living. So it is worthwhile for those responsible for the film industry in Egypt to return to making good films, those of influence and content in order for the Egyptian cinema, so called the "Hollywood of Arabs" to enjoy continued success and so that Egypt would remain a sponsor for Arab artistic creativity and cinema.

سعيد2010-06-19 15:00:00

There are many Egyptian films that carry new and distinctive ideas and objectives that might attract Arab viewers, but the best film I've seen is the comic film of a young artist Ahmed Helmy, titled Zaki Shan, for several reasons. Among them is the bitter Arab reality that needs some change, and the need of humans to come out from their despair, so comic films are the only outlet for the Arab viewers to entertain themselves. Also, this film in particular addresses an important case in our Arab society, but in a funny and comic way; it criticized the deteriorating situation experienced by young Arab people from both genders, and how the sons of the upper class in society can get everything they want and spend their time playing and talking without going through the practical life process, depending on their parents' money, which they spend on their pleasures and evenings, and how Arab women have begun to behave in a negative way that does not suit the ethics of the Arab community, as a result of offering money to them to act however they want. They may have realized the meaning of freedom incorrectly, as it does not mean chaos and confusion in life without aim, or not thinking about doing something positive. It means to communicate with society, and creativity in it through free space made available to them. In addition, the film has highlighted the problem of unemployed youth and its resulting problems. They feel unworthy because they have nothing to do, but if they insists on working, they can do something and alter the reality of their negative life, and save other from wandering. These ideas were put together by the author of the film and the director in a comic and impressive way, showing an emotional and beautiful image, as a result of the dedication of the artists in this film, who tried to deliver the message and target aligned to the film. This film has succeeded among public viewers who want to see the comic style aiming to combine humor and entertainment, and explain their suffering and their problems.

مشكورين2010-06-14 05:00:00

Right, those are great actors. I like Ahmed Helmy because he is a comedian. I also love Ahmed Saadi because he is a comedian. But, Ahmed Al Sakka is only good for action movies. May Allah grant you success!

نهال محمود2010-06-13 03:04:00

It is a good article; it is concise and gives us a lot without wasting our time. It keeps us away from boredom. With our wishes for permanent success.

2010-06-12 03:04:00

The best and coolest film is “Black Honey,” because it shows that the conditions of our beloved Egypt are at rock bottom.

مجهول2010-06-10 03:05:00

Honestly, every year the movies become much better than before. May Allah help you to always give the best.

sara2010-06-09 03:02:00

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