Faten Hamama

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Died17 January 2015(2015-01-17) (aged 83)
NationalityEgyptian
Other names"The First Lady of Egyptian and Arabic Cinema"
Occupations
Years active1940–2001
Notable workFull list
Spouses
(m. 1947; div. 1954)
(m. 1955; div. 1974)
Mohamed Abdel Wahab Mahmoud
(m. 1975)
Children2
RelativesOmar Sharif Jr. (grandson)
Honours Order of the Republic - Grand Cordon
Order of Sciences and Arts

Faten Ahmed Hamama (

Egyptian Arabic: فاتن حمامه  pronounced [ˈfæːten ħæˈmæːmæ] ; 27 May 1931 – 17 January 2015) was an Egyptian film and television actress and film producer.[1] She was the first wife of Ezz El-Dine Zulficar. She made her screen debut in 1939, when she was only seven years old. Her earliest roles were minor, but her activity and gradual success helped to establish her as a distinguished Egyptian actress. Later revered as an icon in Egyptian cinema. In 1996, nine of the films she starred in were included in the Top hundred films in the history of Egyptian cinema by the cinema critics of Cairo International Film Festival.[2]

After a seven-year hiatus from acting, Hamama returned in 2000 in what was a much anticipated television series, Wageh El Amar (وجه القمر, Face of the Moon). Hamama substantially helped in improving the cinema industry in Egypt and emphasizing the importance of women in cinema and Egyptian society. In 2000, she was selected as Star of the Century by the Egyptian Writers and Critics organization.[3]

Early life and career

Faten Hamama was born in 1931

Rossassa Fel Qalb (رصاصه فى القلب, Bullet in the Heart, 1944) and in another film two years later, Dunya (دنيا, Universe, 1946). After her success, Hamama moved with her parents to Cairo and started her study at the High Institute of Acting in 1946.[9]

Career

Sitt al-Bayt (ست البيت, Lady of the House). All were successful films.[10]

Hamama and Salah Zulfikar in the premiere of Bain Al-Atlal at Cinema Diana in Cairo, February 1959

The 1950s were the beginning of the golden age of the Egyptian cinema industry, and Hamama played a significant part.[10] In 1950, she starred alongside Mahmoud Zulfikar in the fantasy film; Akhlaq lil baye (أخلاق للبيع, Virtue for Sale, 1950). In 1951, she starred in the film Lak Yawm Ya Zalem (لك يوم يا ظالم, Your Day will Come) which was nominated at the Cannes Film Festival for the Prix International award. She also played lead roles in Yousef Shaheen's Baba Amin (بابا أمين, Amin, my Father, 1950) and Sira` Fi al-Wadi (صراع فى الوادى , Struggle in the Valley, 1954)l, which was a strong nominee at the 1954 Cannes Film Festival for the Prix International award. Hamama is also known for having played the lead role in the first Egyptian mystery film Al-Manzel Raqam 13 (المنزل رقم 13, House Number 13). In 1959, she starred in the Ezz El-Dine Zulficar's romantic classic, Bain Al Atlal (بين الأطلال, Among the Ruins) with her favorite 1950s co-star Emad Hamdy and Egypt's new rising leading man Salah Zulfikar. In 1963, she received an award for her role in the political film La Waqt Lel Hob (لا وقت للحب, No Time for Love).[11] Hamama was also able to make it to Hollywood; in 1963 she had a role in the crime film, Cairo.[12] In 1947, Hamama married producer/film director Ezz El-Dine Zulficar while filming the Abu Zayd al-Hilali (أبو زيد الهلالى ) film. They started a production company which produced the film Maw`ed Ma` al-Hayat (موعد مع الحياه , Date with Life) in which she starred. This film earned her the title of the "lady of the Arabic screen". She divorced Zulficar in 1954. One year later, she married Egyptian film star Omar Sharif. Meanwhile, Hamama continued to act in films directed by her first husband. Zulficar.[6]

Faten Hamama in 1962

In 1954, while filming a

Nahr al-Hob (نهر الحب, The River of Love) in 1960.[13]

Controversy in the late 1960s

Hamama left Egypt from 1966 to 1971, claiming that she was being harassed by Egyptian Intelligence. She had been a supporter of the

Egyptian government abrogated a law that forbade wives from divorcing their husbands, therefore allowing khul'.[17][18]

Later career

As Hamama aged, her acting roles declined and she made fewer films compared to earlier in her career, but nevertheless her films were successful.[19] She made her first television appearances in her late career. She starred in the TV mini-series Damir Ablah Hekmat (ضمير أبله حكمت, Mrs. Hekmat's Conscience).[20]

After 1993, her career stalled. It was not until 2000 that she returned in the successful TV mini-series Wajh ِِal-Qamar which was broadcast on 23 TV channels in the Middle East. In this mini-series, Hamama portrayed and criticized many problems in Egyptian and Middle Eastern society.[21] Despite some criticisms, the mini-series received much praise and acclaim. Hamama was awarded the Egyptian Best TV Actor of the Year and the mini-series won the Best TV Series Award in the Egyptian Radio and Television Festival.[22] She entered history as the highest-paid actress in an Egyptian television miniseries until 2006, when another actress was paid more.[23]

Hamama, with Rushdy Abaza, in I Want a Solution (1974)

Before the 1950s, Hamama had leading roles in 30 films, in which she often played the role of a weak, empathetic, poor girl. After the 1950s, Hamama was in search of her real identity and was trying to establish herself as a distinct figure. During this period, her choice of material and roles was somewhat limited. However, film producers soon capitalised on her popularity with audiences in local and Middle Eastern markets. She began to play realistic, strong women, such as in Sira' Fi Al-Wadi (صراع فى الوادى ,

Miss Fatmah (الأستاذه فاطمه ), Hamama starred as a law student who believed women were as important as men in society.[24]

In Imbratoriyat Meem (امبراطورية ميم, The Empire M), she played the role of a widow who takes care of her large family and suffers hardship.[20] Her most influential film was Oridu Hallan (أريد حلا, I Want a Solution) which criticized the laws of marriage and divorce in Egypt.[16][18] A law in Egypt that forbade Khul' (خلع) – a divorce initiated by the wife – was annulled immediately afterwards.[17]

Acting style

Most critics agree that Hamama's most challenging role was in the 1959 film

La Tutf'e al-Shams (لا تطفئ الشمس, Don't Turn Off the Sun) based on the novel by Ihsan Abdel Quddous
.

Death and funeral

Faten Hamama died on 17 January 2015, aged 83. Her son Tarek Sharif did not state the cause of her death.[27]

Tributes soon poured in from across the film industry following her death, as well as from government figures. Egyptian president

Al-Akhbar displaying "Farewell to the Lady of the Arabic Screen" as a headline.[28]

The funeral was attended by thousands of mourners who blocked traffic around the mosque where the ceremony was being held. The event was broadcast live on a private channel.[30] Attendees included Minister of Culture Gaber Asfour, former presidential candidate Amr Moussa, as well as several actors and actresses, but not Omar Sharif (who was suffering from Alzheimer's disease, dying at the same age less than six months later).[29] King Mohammed VI of Morocco assigned his country's ambassador in Cairo to attend the funeral.[31]

Personal life

While filming Abu Zayd el-Hilali (أبو زيد الهلالى) in 1947, she and director Ezz El-Dine Zulficar fell in love and wed. The marriage lasted for seven years. They divorced in 1954. Hamama has said that her love for Zulficar was little more than a student's admiration and love for a teacher.[5] The two remained friends, and Zulficar also remarried and Hamama continued to star in his films after the divorce. They had one child, a daughter, Nadia Zulficar.

Hamama with her first husband Ezz El-Dine Zulficar in a scene from the 1948 film Khulood

In 1954, Hamama chose Omar Sharif to co-star with her in a film. In this film, she uncharacteristically agreed to a romantic scene involving a kiss. During the filming, they fell in love. Sharif converted to Islam and married her. The couple co-starred in many films. However, after nearly two decades together, the couple divorced in 1974; they had one son, Tarek Sharif.[5] The couple also have two grandsons from Tarek, Omar Sharif Jr. and Karem Sharif. Omar Sharif Jr. followed in his grandfather's footsteps and now acts in the U.S. in small roles and is an LGBTQ activist.

Hamama with her second husband Omar Sharif in a scene from the 1957 film Land of Peace

Hamama later married Mohamed Abdel Wahab Mahmoud, an Egyptian doctor.[32] They resided in Cairo until her death on 17 January 2015 following a short illness.[33]

Hamama was fluent in French, as she did an interview in French in Lebanon in 1963.[34] She was a practicing Muslim.[35]

Awards, nominations and honours

I Want a Solution Press conference for the third Tehran International Film Festival. From right to left: Salah Zulfikar (Producer of I Want a Solution), Manuchehr Anwar, Faten Hamama, Said Mazrouk, Egyptian translator (1974).

Throughout Hamama's career, she received numerous accolades for best actress, and was nominated for the Cannes Film Festival’s Prix International for her role in 1950's Your Day Will Come.[36] She received her first award in 1951 for her role in I'm the Past, which was presented to her by different venues, including the Egyptian Catholic Center for Cinema. The country's Ministry of Guidance also awarded her the title of Best Actress in both 1955 and 1961. These were followed by many different awards for best actress from various national and international events.[37] International ones included special awards at the first Tehran International Film Festival in 1972 for her role in The Thin Thread, and again at the 1977 Tehran Film Festival for her role in Mouths and Rabbits.[38] In 1973, she received the Special Award at the Moscow International Film Festival for her role in Empire M. Hamama's other international accolades included the Best Actress awards at the Jakarta Film Festival in 1963 for her role in The Open Door,[37][39] and at the Carthage Film Festival in 1988 for her role in Bitter Days, Nice Days.[38]

Egyptian president Gamal Abdel Nasser awarding Faten Hamama the order of the Republic, 1965.

Hamama was also a recipient of the Lebanese Order of Merit in 1984 for her role in The Night of Fatma's Arrest.[37] She was later presented lifetime achievement awards, including one at the Montpellier Mediterranean Film Festival in 1993, and another at the Dubai International Film Festival in 2009.[38] In 2001, the Egyptian Writers and Critics Organization chose her as "Star of the Century" at the Alexandria International Film Festival, honouring her lengthy career in Egyptian cinema.[40]

Hamama was also honoured on several other occasions. Some of those include:

  • Decoration of Creativity of First Degree, from Lebanese Prime Minister Prince Khaled Chehab (1953)[41]
  • Order of the Republic of First Degree for Art, from Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser (1965)[41]
  • Decoration of the State of the First Order, from Egyptian President Anwar Sadat (1976)[41]
  • Decoration of the Cedar, from Lebanese President Émile Lahoud (2001)[42]
  • Decoration of Intellectual Competence, from King Mohammed VI of Morocco (2001)[42]
  • On 14 June 2013, the American University of Beirut awarded Faten Hamama with an honorary doctorate. The University President Peter Dorman introduced the Egyptian actress as an “icon, legend, and luminary.” However, “I feel a great happiness, today, greater than any gift that I have ever received. Currently, there is a massive attack on art, culture and anything related to literature. So this honorary doctorate will not only make me happy, but will bring happiness to all the artists and cultured people in Egypt and the Arab world.” said Hamama.
  • Order of Sciences and Arts
    , 2014
  • A Google Doodle on 27 May 2016 commemorated Hamama's 85th birth anniversary.[43]

Selected filmography

Film

Year International title Arabic title Role
1939
Happy Day
Yom Sa'id, يوم سعيد Anisa
1944
Bullet in the Heart
Rosasa fi el Alb, رصاصه فى القلب Nagwa
1946
Angel of Mercy
Malak el-Rahma, ملاك الرحمه Thoraya
1947 Abu Zayd al-Hilali Abu Zed el-Helali, أبو زيد الهلالى Caliph's daughter
1948
The Small Millionaire
El-Millionerah el-Soghayyarah, المليونيره الصغيره Pilot's girlfriend
Immortality Khulood, خلود Laila / Amal
The Two Orphans
El-Yatimaten, اليتيمتين Ne'mat
Towards Glory
Nahw el-Magd, نحو المجد Soher
1949
Chair of Confession
Korsi el-E'teraf, كرسى الاعتراف Phileberta
Lady of the House
Sett el-Bet, ست البيت Elham
Every House Has a Man
Koll Bet Loh Ragel, كلّ بيت له راجل Faten
1950 Virtue for Sale Akhlaq Lel Be' , أخلاق للبيع Amina
1951
Son of the Nile
Ebn el-Nile, ابن النيل Zebeda
Your Day Will Come
Lak Yom Ya Zalem, لك يوم يا ظالم Ne'mat
I'm The Past
Ana el-Madi, أنا الماضى Elham's daughter
1952
House Number 13
El-Manzel Raqam 13, المنزل رقم 13 Nadia
Immortal Song
Lahn el-Kholud, لحن الخلود Wafa'
Miss Fatimah
El-Ostazah Fatmah, الأستاذه فاطمه Fatmah
1953
A'isha
'Esha, عيشه 'Esha
Date with Life
Maw'ed Ma' al-Hayat, موعد مع الحياة Amal
1954
Pity My Tears
Irham Dmoo'i, ارحم دموعى Amal
Traces in the Sand
Athar Fi el-Remal, أثار فى الرمال Ragia
The Unjust Angel
El-Malak el-Zalem, الملاك الظالم Nadia
Always with You
Dayman Ma'ak, دايما معاك Tefida
Date with Happiness
Maw'ed Ma'a el-Sa'adah, موعد مع السعاده Ehsan / Amal
Struggle in the Valley
Sera' Fi el-Wadi,صراع فى الوادى Amal
1955
Our Beautiful Days
Ayyamna el-Helwa, أيامنا الحلوه Hoda
Love and Tears
Hobb W Demu' , حب و دموع Fatimah
1956
Love Date
Maw'ed Gharam, موعد غرام Nawal
Struggle in the Pier
Sira' Fi al-Mina, صراع فى الميناء Hameedah
1957
Road of Hope
Tariq el-Amal, طريق الأمل Faten
Land of Peace
Ard el-Salam, أرض السلام Salma
Sleepless
La Anam, لا أنام Nadia Lotfi
1958
The Barred Road
El-Tari' el-Masdud, الطريق المسدود Fayza
The Virgin Wife
El-Zogah el-Azra', الزوجه العذراء Mona
Lady of the Castle
Sayyidat al-Qasr, سيدة القصر Sawsan
1959
Among the Ruins
Ben el-Atlal, بين الأطلال Mona
The Nightingale's Prayer
Do'a el-Karawan, دعاء الكروان Amnah
1960
River of Love
Nahr el-Hobb, نهر الحب Nawal
1961
I Will Not Confess
Lan A'tref, لن أعترف Amal
Don't Set the Sun Off
La Totfe' el-Shams, لا تطفئ الشمس Layla
1962 The Miracle[44] El-Mo'geza, المعجزه Layla
1963 Cairo (USA) Cairo Amina
No Time For Love[45] La Waqt Lil Hob, لا وقت للحب Fawziyah
The Open Door[37] El-Bab el-Maftooh, الباب المفتوح Laila
The Last Night
El-Lela el-Akhira , الليله الأخيره Nadia / Fawziyya
1965 The Sin El-Haram, الحرام Azizah
Story of a Lifetime[46] Hikayet al-'Omr Kolloh, حكاية العمر كلّه Nadia
The Confession[47] El-E'treaf, الاعتراف Nawal
1966 Something in My Life[47] Shai' Fi Hayati, شىء فى حياتى A'ida
1970 The Great Love[47] El-Hobb el-Kabir, الحب الكبير Hanan
1971 Witch Sahera, ساحره So'ad
1971 The Thin Thread[47] El-Khet el-Rofayya' , الخيط الرفيع Mona
1972
M Empire
Imbratoriyat Meem, امبراطورية ميم Mona
1974 My Love[47] Habibati, حبيبتى Samia
I Need a Solution
Oridu Hallan, أريدُ حلاً Fawziyah
1977 Mouths and Rabbits[47] Afwah wa Araneb, أفواه و أرانب Ne'mat
1979 No Condolences for Ladies[47] Wa La 'Aza' Lel Sayyidat, و لا عزاء للسيدات Rawya
1985 The Night of Fatima's Arrest[47] Lelet el-Abd 'ala Fatmah, ليلة القبض على فاطمه Fatimah
1988 Sweet Days.. Bitter Days[47] Yom Morr Yom Helw, يوم مر.. يوم حلو Esha
1993
Land of Dreams[47]
Ard el-Ahlam, أرض الأحلام Narges

Television

Year Title Arabic Role
1991 Miss Hekmat's Conscience (mini-series)[48] Damir Ablah Hekmat, ضمير أبله حكمت Hekmat
2000 Face of the Moon (mini-series) Wagh el-Amar, وجه القمر Ebtesam el-Bostani

Photos

See also

References

  1. ^ "Filmography". IMDb. Retrieved 23 November 2006.[unreliable source?]
  2. ^ Abd al Min'em, Ghada. "Hamama, a revolution!" (in Arabic). Palestinian Cinema Group. Archived from the original on 14 October 2006. Retrieved 20 November 2006.
  3. ^ Farid, Samir. "Top 100". Al-Ahram. Archived from the original on 22 March 2007. Retrieved 31 March 2007.
  4. ^ Sharif, Omar (1977), The Eternal Matgjtttftyle: Mhhhy Own Sug5tory, Doubleday: New York, 1st edition, p. 69.
  5. ^ a b c d e Fouad, Khalid. "Hamama interview" (in Arabic). Al-Jazirah news. Archived from the original on 5 November 2006. Retrieved 12 November 2006.
  6. ^ a b "Hamama's biodata". IMDb. Retrieved 12 November 2006.[unreliable source?]
  7. ^ "Yom Said". IMDb. Retrieved 21 November 2006.[unreliable source?]
  8. ^ Karim, Mohammed. "Hamama, Egypt's own Shirley Temple". Official website. Retrieved 21 November 2006.
  9. ^ "Faten Hamama's biography". Egypt State Information Service. Archived from the original on 28 September 2007. Retrieved 20 November 2006.
  10. ^ a b c Darwish (1998) pp. 30–31
  11. ^ Al-Khodari, Khalid. "Hamama receives award" (in Arabic). Alalam. Archived from the original on 28 September 2007. Retrieved 12 November 2006.
  12. ^ Mannikka, Eleanor. "Cairo". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 5 October 2003. Retrieved 21 November 2006.
  13. ^ "Omar Sharif filmography". IMDb. Retrieved 20 November 2006.[unreliable source?]
  14. ^ "Faten Hamama, Actress Hailed as 'Lady of the Arabic Screen,' Dies at 83". The New York Times. 21 January 2015.
  15. ^ "Gamal wants "national treasure" back". Biography by Al-Husseini. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 13 November 2006.
  16. ^ a b Fountain, Clarke. "Orid Hallan". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 26 September 2003. Retrieved 24 November 2006.
  17. ^ a b El-Assyouti, Mohamed. "Orid Hallan". Al-Ahram. Archived from the original on 2 January 2007. Retrieved 23 November 2006.
  18. ^ a b "Orid Hallan". fatenhamama.com. Retrieved 23 November 2006.
  19. ^ Mannikka, Eleanor. "Leilet al Qabd ala Fatma". The New York Times. Retrieved 24 November 2006.
  20. ^ a b El Sirgany, Sarah. "M Empire movie". Carnival Arabia. Archived from the original on 11 October 2006. Retrieved 24 November 2006.
  21. ^ "Wajh al-Qamar details". Cairo Live. Archived from the original on 27 August 2006. Retrieved 24 November 2006.
  22. ^ Al-Shanduweily, Ayman. "Wajh al-Qamar and Hamama receive awards" (in Arabic). Suhuf.net. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 12 November 2006.
  23. ^ "2006 breaks wages' records" (in Arabic). Al Arabiya. Archived from the original on 4 October 2006. Retrieved 30 November 2006.
  24. ^ "Miss Fatima movie". Arab Celebs. Archived from the original on 17 January 2013. Retrieved 24 November 2006.
  25. ^ "Nightinagale's Prayer movie". fatenhamama.com. Retrieved 24 November 2006.
  26. ^ "WATCH: Faten Hamama and Omar Sharif in 'Love River' | Egyptian Streets". egyptianstreets.com. 18 January 2015. Retrieved 14 November 2017.
  27. ^ "Egypt film icon Faten Hamama dies, aged 83". BBC. 18 January 2015. Retrieved 18 January 2015.
  28. ^ a b Al Sherbini, Ramadan (18 January 2015). "Faten Hamama: Tributes pour in for acting legend". Gulf News. Retrieved 18 January 2015.
  29. ^ a b c Al Sherbini, Ramadan (18 January 2015). "Faten Hamama's funeral attracts hundreds of mourners". Gulf News. Retrieved 18 January 2015.
  30. ^ a b "Hundreds Gather at Funeral of Egyptian Actress Faten Hamama". ABC News. 18 January 2015. Retrieved 18 January 2015.
  31. ^ Ahmed, Basant (18 January 2015). "Morocco's King assigns ambassador to attend Faten Hamama's Funeral". El-Balad. Retrieved 18 January 2015.
  32. ^ "Faten Hamama biography". MSN Arabia Entertainment. Archived from the original on 23 November 2006. Retrieved 24 November 2006.
  33. ^ Notice of death of Faten Hamama, alarabiya.net; accessed 18 January 2014.(in English)
  34. ^ "Faten Hamama - Interview (1963)". YouTube. Archived from the original on 12 December 2021.
  35. ^ "A love story that defied social and religious barriers"
  36. ^ Saeed, Saeed (18 January 2015). "Arab film icon Faten Hamama dies aged 83". The National. Retrieved 19 January 2015.
  37. ^ a b c d (in Arabic) "جوائز وتكريمات فاتن حمامة [Awards and honours received by Faten Hamama]". Al-Akhbar. 19 January 2015. Retrieved 19 January 2015.
  38. ^ a b c "DIFF honour for Hamama". Khaleej Times. 1 December 2009. Retrieved 19 January 2015.
  39. ^ (in Arabic) "حزنا على وفاة فاتن حمامة.. مصر في حداد ليومين [Grieving over Faten Hamama's death.. two days of mourning in Egypt]". Al Arabiya. 17 January 2015. Retrieved 19 January 2015.
  40. ^ Khatchatourian, Maane (17 January 2015). "Egyptian Actress Faten Hamama Dies at 83". Variety. Retrieved 19 January 2015.
  41. ^ a b c (in Arabic) Al-Kashoty, Ali (17 January 2015). "فاتن حمامة سيدة الشاشة العربية نجمة القرن بلا منازع [Faten Hamama the Lady of the Arabic Screen and Star of the Century with no competitor]". Youm7. Retrieved 19 January 2015.
  42. ^ a b (in Arabic) Al-Ads, Wael (18 January 2015). "سيدة الشاشة العربية فاتن حمامة ستبقى متربعة على القمة رغم غيابها [Lady of the Arabic Screen, Faten Hamama, remains on top of her field despite her absence]". Cham Times. Archived from the original on 19 January 2015. Retrieved 19 January 2015.
  43. ^ "Faten Hamama's 85th birthday". Google. 27 May 2016.
  44. ^ (in Arabic) Alawy, Ahmed (8 April 2014). "شاديه و فاتن حمامه فى لقطه نادره فى كواليس فيلم "المعجزه " [A rare snapshot of Shadia and Faten Hamama behind the scenes of The Miracle]". Cairo Dar. Archived from the original on 20 January 2015. Retrieved 19 January 2015.
  45. ^ (in Egyptian Arabic) Al-Ghamrawy, Ahmed (18 January 2015). "بعد مشوار دام 75 عاماً.. رحيل فاتن حمامه [Following a 75-year long career.. the death of Faten Hamama]". Asharq Al-Awsat. Retrieved 19 January 2015.
  46. ^ (in Arabic) Al-Refai, Mahmoud (18 January 2015). "٢٣ أغنية فى حب فاتن حمامه [23 love songs for Faten Hamama]". El Watan. Retrieved 19 January 2015.
  47. ^ a b c d e f g h i j (in Egyptian Arabic) "انهيار الفنانات بعد دفن سيدة القصر [Actresses devastated following the burial of the Lady of the Palace]". Al-Watan Al-Youm. 19 January 2015. Archived from the original on 20 January 2015. Retrieved 19 January 2015.
  48. Al-Shorouk
    . Retrieved 20 January 2015.

Sources

Published sources

Online sources

External links