Helmy Rafla

Helmy Rafla 🎬🇪🇬

(May 15, 1909 – April 22, 1978)

🟢 Egyptian director, screenwriter, and producer, considered one of the pioneers of Egyptian cinema, especially in comedy and musical films. He started his career as an assistant director before moving into directing and producing, creating numerous successful films that helped shape modern Egyptian cinema.

📌 Early Life and Career

📍 Born in Giza, Egypt, he began his cinematic journey in 1942 as a makeup artist, responsible for the makeup of Umm Kulthum in all her films.

✈️ He traveled to France to study makeup artistry and later returned to Egypt to work with Talaat Harb at "Studio Misr," where he trained in directing, cinematography, and set design.

🎬 In 1947, he directed his first film, "Aql fi Ijazah" (Mind on Vacation), starring Mohamed Fawzi, marking the beginning of a long collaboration with him, directing 13 films together.

🎥 Notable Works

📌 As a Director

🎞️ Hamati Qunbula Ziriya (My Mother-in-Law is an Atomic Bomb) (1951) – Classic comedy

🎞️ Fatma, Marika, and Rachel (1949) – Starring Mohamed Fawzi and Shadia

🎞️ Maaboudat Al-Gamahir (The Audience’s Idol) (1967) – Starring Abdel Halim Hafez and Shadia

🎞️ Al-Wafa' Al-Azim (Great Loyalty) (1974) – Starring Mahmoud Yassin and Naglaa Fathi

🎞️ Lamsat Hanan (A Touch of Tenderness) (1971) – Starring Shadia and Salah Zulfikar

🎞️ Al-Nashala (The Pickpocket) (1970) – Starring Nahed Sherif

🎞️ Nisaa' fi Al-Madina (Women in the City) (1971) – Starring Nahed Yousry

📜 As a Screenwriter

✍️ Hubb wa Junun (Love and Madness) (1954)

✍️ Al-Majnouna (The Crazy Woman) (1949)

✍️ Ah Min Al-Rigal (Oh, Men!) (1950)

✍️ Ibn lil-Ijar (A Son for Rent) (1953)

✍️ Aashiq Al-Rouh (The Soul's Lover) (1973)

🎬 As a Producer

📽️ Nisaa' Al-Lail (Women of the Night) (1973)

📽️ Nahr Al-Hubb (The River of Love) (1960) – Starring Faten Hamama and Omar Sharif

📽️ Ehna Al-Talamiza (We Are the Students) (1959) – Starring Omar Sharif, Shukri Sarhan, and Rushdy Abaza

📽️ Al-Mamalik (The Mamluks) (1965) – Starring Omar Sharif

📽️ Imra’a Fi Al-Tariq (A Woman on the Road) (1958) – Starring Shukri Sarhan and Rushdy Abaza

🏆 Impact on Egyptian Cinema

✅ Discovered many stars, including Mohamed Fawzi, Shadia, and Madiha Yousri

✅ His films were known for their light-hearted, musical, and comedic style

✅ Directed and produced some of Egypt’s most iconic films, which are still broadcast today

🕊️ Death

⚫ Passed away on April 22, 1978, in Paris, while scouting locations for a film about the life of Tawfiq Al-Hakim.

🎭 Helmy Rafla remains a significant figure in Egyptian cinema, contributing to its golden era with his unique style and remarkable films.