 | You can helpexpand this article with text translated fromthe corresponding article in Arabic. (March 2023)Click [show] for important translation instructions.
|
Mohammed Karim | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | (1896-12-08)December 8, 1896 Abdeen, Cairo |
| Died | March 27, 1972(1972-03-27) (aged 75) |
| Citizenship | Egypt |
| Occupation | film director . producer . writer |
Mohammed Karim (1896–1972) (Arabic:محمد كريم) was an Egyptian actor,film director,writer, andproducer, and is considered one of the most prominent figures in Egyptian cinematic history. He is credited as the first Egyptian film actor.
Mohammed Karim was born on December 8, 1896, in Abdeen, Cairo. Karim's journey into cinema began in 1917 when he learned that Italy's first film company, the Italian Cinematographic Society (SITCIA), had come to Alexandria to make a film. Eager to be involved, he sent them thirty-six photos but was initially rejected due to his lack of proficiency in Italian and French. Six months later, after learning Italian, he sent eighty-six new photos and was given the chance for a screen test. On July 20, 1918, Karim debuted as an officer inThe Honour of the Bedouin (Charaf el Badawî), followed by a small role inThe Deadly Flowers (el Azhâr el Momîta).[1]
In the early 1920s, Karim traveled to Italy, where he appeared in small roles in two Italian films,Camello's Revenge andMessaline. From there, he moved to Germany, where he participated in German films and studied at UFA Studios on the filming of Metropolis. It was though his work with UFA that Karim began directing and decided to pursue filmmaking as his primary career.[1]
Karim returned to Egypt in 1926 and created a short documentary for the Misr Acting & Cinema Company (The Egyptian Company for Acting and Cinema),Hada'iq al-Hayawan (The Zoological Gardens, 1970). His first silent feature,Zaynab (1930), was the first long narrative film produced in Egypt, based on an Egyptian novel by Dr. Muhammad Hussayn Haykal.[2]
Karim is also credited with directing Egypt’s first talking picture,Awlad al-Zawat (Children of the Aristocracy, 1932). He contributed toAl-Warda al-Bayda' (The White Rose, 1933), Egypt's first musical, which featured singer Muhammad Abd al-Wahab. Karim directed all of Abd al-Wahab's films from 1933 to 1944.[3] His 1932 filmFils à Papa, though produced in Paris, was an Egyptian venture and further solidified his influence in the film industry.
Karim also played a key role in launching the careers of several new talents. He cast the nine-year-oldFaten Hamama inYawm Sa'id (Happy Day, 1940) and helped guide her career. Karim broughtFaten Hamama to fame in the movieYawm Said. His 1946 filmDunia was entered into the1946 Cannes Film Festival.[4] In 1956, his filmDalila became the first Egyptian film to use CinemaScope, demonstrating his awareness of cinematic innovations.[5]
Near the end of his career, Karim became the first dean of theCairo Higher Institute of Cinema.[6] His accomplishments earned him the title "Sheikh of Directors."[7]
Mohammed Karim died on March 27, 1972.[8]
Short Films:
Feature Films:
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: publisher location (link){{cite book}}: CS1 maint: publisher location (link){{cite book}}: CS1 maint: publisher location (link)
Media related toMohamed Karim at Wikimedia Commons| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
 | This article about an Egyptian film director is astub. You can help Wikipedia byadding missing information. |
