Bahiga Hafez

Bahiga Hafez
(b. August 14, 1901; d. September 13, 1983)

Biography

Date of Birth: August 14, 1901; Alexandria, Egypt

Bahiga Ismail Hafez was born in Alexandria where she also received her education. She later became an actress/ director/producer, music composer, pianist and violinist.

Of an aristocratic descent, she turned her house into a place where writers, poets and artists met.

Hafez took part in seven films, the first of which was Zeinab directed by Mohamed Karim in 1930, anded on a novel by Doctor Mohamed Hussein Heikal. It is considered the first Egyptian film adaptation of a novel. Hafez also composed the musical score of the film.

In 1966, Hafez played her last role in a film; i.e. Cairo 30. The role was that of a royal princess in the only color shots of the film. The film was directed by Salah Abu Seif and based on Naguib Mahfouz's novel Al Kahira Al Gadida (The New Cairo).

Besides being an actress, she produced five of the films in which she starred and composed the score for several.

She also composed the music of two other films; i.e. Salwa in 1946 and Al Sayed Ahmed Badawi in 1953.

Bahiga Hafez died in Cairo on September 13, 1983.

Filmography

Zeinab: Actress/ producer
Al-dahaya (The Victims): Actress/ producer
Al-Iteham (Accusation): Actress/ producer
Zahrah (Flower): Actress/ producer
Layla bent al-sahara (Layla of the Desert): Actress/ producer