Ahmed Zaki
Acting
Biography
Ahmed Zaki (November 18, 1949 - March 27, 2005) was a leading Egyptian film actor who was characterized by his talent, skill, and ability to impersonate. Dubbed "The Emperor", he is widely regarded as one of the greatest male actors in the Arab world. Zaki has starred in six films that have been listed in the Top 100 Egyptian films. Ahmed Zaki was born to a poor family in Sharqia, Egypt. His father died a few years after his birth, his mother remarried, and he was brought up to live with his grandfather. Zaki fell in love with acting when he was still in school, his headmaster saw his creative ability and pushed him to follow his passion. He would later travel to Cairo and earn his degree from the Cairo Higher Institute for Drama Studies in 1974. While studying, he first debuted in the stage play Hello Shalaby (1969). He also starred in very successful comedy plays such as School of Mischief (1973) and No Longer Kids (1979). Early in his career, he struggled with producers and directors as they believed he did not have the appearance to appeal to audiences. When he got objected by the film distributor to star in Al Karnak (1975) after he was cast as the character Ismail, he entered a severe depression. He did not overcome it until after poet and playwright Salah Jahin supported him, as Jahin was convinced of his talent and would later write films and a TV show Zaki starred in. Many of his films had a strong political message that exposed governmental and police corruption. Two of his greatest successes were playing Egypt's presidents in two popular movies that became landmarks of Arabic cinema. He played Gamal Abdel Nasser in Nasser 56 (1996) and Anwar Sadat in Days of Sadat (2001). He also portrayed other prominent Egyptian figures such as writer Taha Hussien. Zaki was a method actor who immersed himself profoundly in his roles, absorbing every aspect of the character he was portraying whether he was fictional or real in origin. In 1983, he married actress Hala Fouad but the marriage did not last. She gave birth to his only son Haitham Zaki in 1984, who would also grow up to be an actor until his sudden and tragic death in 2019. His former wife died in 1993 after a battle with breast cancer. He was a known heavy smoker. In 2005, Ahmed Zaki died of lung cancer during the shooting of Sherif Arafa's biography Halim (2006), in which he portrayed the legendary singer Abdel Halim Hafez, a role he's always dreamed to play. His son Haitham was roped in to fill the scenes and play the lead on behalf of his father. Years after his passing, he is remembered with great reverence and fondness within the film industry and outside it, his contributions seen as monumental by his contemporaries as well as the generations that followed.
Known For
A drama consisting of several separate episodes, each episode discusses a different issue of men and women and their relationship with each other.
He and She Stories
The play tells the story of four siblings trying to stop their father from leaving his family for another woman after one of them accidentally finds a love letter from an unknown woman to their father.
No Longer Kids
In a high school plagued by five unruly students who have failed to graduate for over a decade, the principal hires a new teacher in a last-ditch effort to restore order. Effat, the newly appointed instructor, takes on the challenge with hopes of reforming the troublemakers into model students.
The School of Mischief
No description available.
الصراع
The series chronicles the life of Taha Hussein, The Dean of Arabic Literature, as he leaves the countryside to get a better education, and then leaves Egypt to France where he meets Susan whom he marries later.
The Days
A philosophy teacher finds himself and his ethics surrounded by a corrupt society, and as he's mistaken for an exorcist and fortune-teller. He uses logic and psychological tricks to practice wizardry, until he masters it and controls people, meanwhile losing his ethics.
The Egg and the Stone
A police officer is chosen in the late 1960s for a unique and lifelong mission: to infiltrate Egypt’s criminal underworld. Stripped of his name and reputation, he adopts a new identity, living among smugglers, dealers, and nightclub owners. Over the years, he rises within this hidden world, all the while trying to balance his secret duty with the temptations of wealth, power, and desire. Against the backdrop of Egypt’s shifting political eras, his life becomes a meditation on morality, loyalty, and the fragile boundaries of identity and biblical-level metaphors.
Land of Fear
A biopic depicting the life of the late Egyptian president Anwar Sadat, following his early life, his political and military achievements, and his assassination during the Cairo annual victory parade.
Days of El Sadat
No description available.
The Man Who Lost His Memory Twice
Journalist Hossam is involved with three different women at the same time. Amira, the charming journalist who's well connected, Reem his rebel revolutionary secretary, and Hanadi the simple lady who's the victim of the collapse of a building.
One Woman Is Not Enough
Amid the poverty, death, and suffering caused by World War II, 18-year-old Yehia retreats into a private world of fantasy and longing. Obsessed with Hollywood, he dreams of studying filmmaking in America but struggles to pursue his dream, given the constraints of his life in the middle class and the horrors of war.
Alexandria… Why?
The film displays the life of legendary singer(Abd Alhalim Hafez) in various stages. Depicting many sides of his artistic and personal life since his early childhood.
Halim
This movie revolves around the story of an innocent girl (Nawal) who was married to a rich and possessive man who still wants her back after their divorce; however she meets a hair stylist (Shoukry) and falls in love with him. They get married but her first husband starts torturing Shoukry so he can leave Nawal but he refuses. Eventually, acts of revenge begins from both Nawal and her ex-husband.
A Dinner Date
Nasser 56 is a 1996 Egyptian historical film directed by Mohamed Fadel, starring Ahmed Zaki. The film focuses on the nationalization of the Suez Canal by Egypt's second President, Gamal Abdel Nasser, and the subsequent invasion of Egypt by Israel, the United Kingdom, and France.
Nasser 56
The encounters and relationships that a brothel hotel witnessed, from a well known man in power, ambitious cunning youngster, to chivalrous college professor, despite such corrupt business ,true love found a place in some hearts.
Alley of Love
A simple minded peasant was recruited in the Egyptian army where he was deceived to believe that political activists are his homeland enemies, but not for so long.
The Innocent
The widowed Wafaa lives with her teenage daughter Salma and her sister-in-law Azza in her late husband Kamel's remote house. When Kamel's former cellmate comes to offer his help, the three women are hesitant to accept at first, but they end up falling for him and competing for his affection.
The Shepherd and the Women
When Mona marries the seemingly decent police officer Hisham, she finds out there is more into him than what he shows to the people.
The Wife of an Important Man
After having trouble with the dancer who worked with him for several months, the drummer Abdo discovers a young dancer Mabahig who lives with her sister and her brother-in-law. He trains her till she becomes a famous dancer.
The Dancer & the Drummer
Hassan Ellol is a poor man, making a living out of stealing and smuggling watches and small goods inside the car he drives. His life is turned upside down when he falls in love with Fatima, who turns out to be the daughter of a drug tycoon preparing to run for the parliamentary elections.