Aziza Amir

Aziza Amir
(b. December 12, 1901; d. 1952)

Birth name

Mofeeda Mahmoud Ghoneimi

Date of Birth

1901, Damietta, Egypt

Biography

A pioneer, Aziza Amir is one of the true founders of the Egyptian movie industry. Although orphaned, she moved to Alexandria and later to Cairo pursuing an acting career.

Despite the fact that she received no formal education, she educated herself and was well-versed in art and music and well-spoken in French.

In 1925, she made the acquaintance of famous actor/director Youssef Wahbi, who offered her a role in his play al-magd al-za'ef (False Glory). Having worked the season in the Ramsis Theatrical Troupe, she moved on to other places. Her last play on stage was Ahl al-kahf (People of the Cave), directed for the National Theatrical Troupe by Zaki Tolaymat.

Amir's first movie production was the film neda'a al-rab (God's Call), later re-produced under the title "Layla". The film's importance derived from its being the longest feature film at that time. Layla was shot at Sakkarah and in the streets of Cairo. the prints were made at the producer's home which later became a studio.

Amir would not take on any production responsibilities given the losses she sustained after the showing of kaferi ann khatiatak (Pay for Your Sins), which was a silent among many talking films.

Amir was more of a believer in a message which she sought to bring home to her audience than a mere actor/producer. Most of her films reflected the attributes of Egyptian society.

Filmography

Actress:
•1950s
•1940s
• 1930s
• 1920s

1. Kisma wa nassib (1951)
... aka Fate and Fortune (International: English title)

2. Nadia (1949) .... Nadia

3. Fok el suhab (1948)
... aka Above the Clouds (International: English title)

4. Kul yughanni, El (1948)
... aka Everyone Is Singing (International: English title)

5. Hadaya (1947)

6. Awdat Taqiyyat al ikhfa (1946)
... aka Return of the Magic Hat (International: English title)

7. Dunia bi-kheir, al- (1946)
... aka All Is Well with the World (International: English title)
8. Mughani al maghool, al- (1946)

... aka The Unknown Singer (International: English title)
9. Shamha tahtarek (1946)
... aka A Candle Is Burning (International: English title)

10. Fulus, al- (1945)
... aka Money (International: English title)
11. Ibnati (1944)

... aka My Daughter (International: English title)

12. Taqiyyat al ikhfa (1944)

13. Ibn el balad (1943)
... aka The Urchin (International: English title)

14. Wadi el numjum (1943)
... aka Valley of the Stars (International: English title)

15. Lailat al farah (1942)
... aka Wedding Night (International: English title)

16. Warsha, El (1941)

17. Bayayet el tiffah (1940)
... aka The Apple Seller (International: English title)

18. Bisalamtu ouz itjawaz (1936)
... aka His Highness Wishes to Marry (International: English title)

19. Kaferi ann khatiatak (1933)
... aka Pay for Your Sins (International: English title)

20. Istanbul sokaklarinda (1931)
... aka In the Istanbul Streets (International: English title)
... aka Zitianos tis Stamboul, O (Greece)

21. Bint el Nil (1929)
... aka Daughter of the Nile (International: English title)

22. Laila (1927)

23. Leyla (1927)

Writer:
•1950s
•1940s

1. Khadaini abi (1951) (story)
... aka My Father Deceived Me (International: English title)

2. Fatat min Falastin (1949) (script) (story)
... aka A Girl from Palestine (International: English title)

3. Fok el suhub (1948) (script)
... aka Above the Clouds (International: English title)

4. Hadaya (1947) (script) (story)

5. Ibn el balad (1943) (story and dialogue)
... aka The Urchin (International: English title)

6. Warsha, El (1941) (story) ... aka The Workshop (International: English title)

Producer:
• 1950s
• 1940s

1. Akhlak lel beia (1951) (producer)
... aka Virtue for Sale (International: English title)

2. Fok el suhab (1948) (producer)
... aka Above the Clouds (International: English title)

3. Kul yughanni, El (1948) (producer)
... aka Everyone Is Singing (International: English title)

4. Hadaya (1947) (producer)

Director:
•1930s
•1920s

1. Kaferi ann khatiatak (1933)
... aka Pay for Your Sins (International: English title)

2. Bint el Nil (1929)
... aka Daughter of the Nile (International: English title)