Aziza Amir

Aziza Amir – The Mother of Egyptian Cinema 🎬

📅 Born: December 17, 1901 – Damietta, Egypt

🕊️ Died: February 28, 1952 – Cairo, Egypt

🌍 Nationality: 🇪🇬 Egyptian

💍 Marital Status: Married to Mahmoud Zulfikar

👧 Children: Ameera Amir

🗣️ Languages: Arabic, French

🎭 Profession: Actress, Director, Writer, and Film Producer

⏳ Years Active: 1927 – 1952

🌟 About Her Life

Aziza Amir, born Mofeeda Mohamed Ghanem, was one of the most prominent names in Egyptian cinema history. She is credited with producing and directing Egypt’s first silent film, "Laila" in 1927, earning her the title "The Mother of Egyptian Cinema."

She was raised in Alexandria after her father’s death and later moved to Cairo, where she received her education. She studied music and learned French before traveling to Europe, where she was influenced by international cinema, inspiring her to enter the film industry.

🎬 Early Career

🔸 She started her career in theater, joining the Ramses Theater Troupe led by Youssef Wahbi in 1925.

🔸 She participated in several theatrical groups, including:

The Arab Acting Promotion Company

Naguib El-Rihani’s Troupe

🔸 She founded her own film company, "Isis Film", becoming one of Egypt’s first film producers.

🎞️ Egypt’s First Silent Film – "Laila" (1927)

📽️ Aziza Amir directed the film herself, making it the first Egyptian-produced silent feature film.

📽️ The film’s premiere was attended by Prince of Poets Ahmed Shawqi.

📽️ It was a massive success, encouraging her to continue in film production and directing.

🎭 Her Filmography

🔹 As an Actress

I Believed in God (1952)

Qismah wa Naseeb (Destiny and Fate) (1950)

Nadia (1949)

Habbabah (1944)

The Apple Seller (1939)

Laila (1927)

🔹 As a Director

Daughter of the Nile (1929)

Atone for Your Sin (1933)

🔹 As a Writer & Screenwriter

The Return of the Invisible Cap (1946)

Qismah wa Naseeb (1950)

A Girl from Palestine (1948)

🔹 As a Producer

She produced 25 films through her company, "Isis Film."

💔 Personal Life

🔹 She had a secret marriage with a prominent politician, which ended in separation.

🔹 She later married Ahmed El-Sherie (Mayor of Samalut) before divorcing and marrying his brother, Mostafa El-Sherie, for seven years.

🔹 Finally, she married director and actor Mahmoud Zulfikar.

🕊️ Death

🔻 She passed away on February 28, 1952, at the age of 50, after struggling with illness.

🔻 Her final film, "I Believed in God," was damaged in the Cairo Fire of 1952 but was later released posthumously.

🏆 Her Cinematic Legacy

✅ The first woman to venture into film production and directing in Egypt.

✅ She laid the foundation for Egyptian cinema, inspiring future filmmakers and producers.

✅ Critics described her as:

"She did not give birth to children, but she gave birth to Egyptian cinema." 🎬❤️

📌 Additional Facts

❌ Some of her silent films are lost and were never broadcast on Egyptian television.

🎞️ Her film "Laila" played a crucial role in establishing Egyptian cinema independent of foreign production.