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'''Faten Hamama''' ({{lang-ar|فاتن حمامة}}&nbsp; {{IPA-arz|ˈfæːten ħæˈmæːmæ|pron|faatin 7amaama.ogg}}; May 27, 1931 – January 17, 2015) was an Egyptian film and television actress and producer.<ref name=fatenfilmography>{{cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0357303|title=Filmography|accessdate=23 November 2006|publisher=IMDb}}{{unreliable source|date=July 2015}}</ref>
'''Faten Hamama''' ({{lang-ar|فاتن حمامة}}&nbsp; {{IPA-arz|ˈfæːten ħæˈmæːmæ|pron|faatin 7amaama.ogg}}; May 27, 1931 – January 17, 2015) was an Egyptian film and television actress and producer.<ref name=fatenfilmography>{{cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0357303|title=Filmography|accessdate=23 November 2006|publisher=IMDb}}{{unreliable source|date=July 2015}}</ref>


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. Eventually, and after many successful performances, she was able to achieve stardom. Revered as an icon in Egyptian and Middle Eastern cinema, Hamama substantially helped in improving the cinema industry in Egypt and emphasizing the importance of women in cinema and Egyptian society.<ref name=societyeffect>{{cite web|author=Abd al Min'em, Ghada|url=http://www.cinemagroup.ps/articles.php?id=805|title=Hamama, a revolution!|accessdate=20 November 2006|publisher=Palestinian Cinema Group|language=Arabic}}</ref>
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. Eventually, and after many successful performances, she was able to achieve stardom. Revered as an icon in Egyptian and Middle Eastern cinema, Hamama substantially helped in improving the cinema industry in Egypt and emphasizing the importance of women in cinema and Egyptian society.<ref name=societyeffect>{{cite web|author=Abd al Min'em, Ghada |url=http://www.cinemagroup.ps/articles.php?id=805 |title=Hamama, a revolution! |accessdate=20 November 2006 |publisher=Palestinian Cinema Group |language=Arabic |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20061014210858/http://www.cinemagroup.ps:80/articles.php?id=805 |archivedate=14 October 2006 |df=dmy }}</ref>


After a seven-year hiatus from acting, Hamama returned in 2000 in what was a much anticipated television [[miniseries]], ''[[Wajh al-Qamar]]'' (وجه القمر, ''Face of the Moon''). In 2000, she was selected as Star of the Century by the Egyptian Writers and Critics organization. In 2007, eight of the films she starred in were included in the top 100 films in the history of [[Cinema of Egypt|Egyptian cinema]] by the cinema committee of the Supreme Council of Culture in Cairo.<ref name= top100>{{cite web|url=http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2007/836/cu4.htm|title=Top 100|accessdate=31 March 2007|publisher=[[Al-Ahram]]|author=Farid, Samir}}</ref>
After a seven-year hiatus from acting, Hamama returned in 2000 in what was a much anticipated television [[miniseries]], ''[[Wajh al-Qamar]]'' (وجه القمر, ''Face of the Moon''). In 2000, she was selected as Star of the Century by the Egyptian Writers and Critics organization. In 2007, eight of the films she starred in were included in the top 100 films in the history of [[Cinema of Egypt|Egyptian cinema]] by the cinema committee of the Supreme Council of Culture in Cairo.<ref name= top100>{{cite web|url=http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2007/836/cu4.htm|title=Top 100|accessdate=31 March 2007|publisher=[[Al-Ahram]]|author=Farid, Samir}}</ref>


==Early life and career==
==Early life and career==
Faten Hamama was born in 1931<ref>Sharif, Omar (1977), ''The Eternal Matgjtttftyle: Mhhhy Own Sug5tory'', Doubleday: New York, 1st edition, p. 69.<!-- ISBN needed --></ref> to a [[Muslim]] [[lower middle class]] family in [[El Mansoura, Egypt|Mansoura, Egypt]] (according to her [[birth certificate]]), but she claimed to have been born in the Abdeen quarter of Cairo.<ref name=Abdeen>{{cite web|author=Fouad, Khalid|url=http://www.al-jazirah.com.sa/magazine/12102004/memory29.htm|title=Hamama interview|accessdate=12 November 2006|publisher=Al-Jazirah news|language=Arabic}}</ref> Her father, Ahmed Hamama, worked as a clerk in the Egyptian Ministry of Education and her mother was a housewife. She has an older brother, Muneer, a younger sister, Layla and a younger brother, Mazhar.<ref name=imdbbio/> Her aspiration for acting arose at an early age. Hamama said that she was influenced by [[Assia Dagher]] as a child. When she was six years old, her father took her to the theater to see an Assia Dagher film; when the audience clapped for Assia, she told her father she felt they were clapping for her.<ref name=Abdeen/>
Faten Hamama was born in 1931<ref>Sharif, Omar (1977), ''The Eternal Matgjtttftyle: Mhhhy Own Sug5tory'', Doubleday: New York, 1st edition, p. 69.<!-- ISBN needed --></ref> to a [[Muslim]] [[lower middle class]] family in [[El Mansoura, Egypt|Mansoura, Egypt]] (according to her [[birth certificate]]), but she claimed to have been born in the Abdeen quarter of Cairo.<ref name=Abdeen>{{cite web|author=Fouad, Khalid |url=http://www.al-jazirah.com.sa/magazine/12102004/memory29.htm |title=Hamama interview |accessdate=12 November 2006 |publisher=Al-Jazirah news |language=Arabic |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20061105133024/http://www.al-jazirah.com.sa:80/magazine/12102004/memory29.htm |archivedate=5 November 2006 |df=dmy }}</ref> Her father, Ahmed Hamama, worked as a clerk in the Egyptian Ministry of Education and her mother was a housewife. She has an older brother, Muneer, a younger sister, Layla and a younger brother, Mazhar.<ref name=imdbbio/> Her aspiration for acting arose at an early age. Hamama said that she was influenced by [[Assia Dagher]] as a child. When she was six years old, her father took her to the theater to see an Assia Dagher film; when the audience clapped for Assia, she told her father she felt they were clapping for her.<ref name=Abdeen/>


[[File:Happy Day Faten.jpg|thumb|Hamama in her first movie, ''Happy Day'' (1940)]]
[[File:Happy Day Faten.jpg|thumb|Hamama in her first movie, ''Happy Day'' (1940)]]
When she won a children's beauty pageant in Egypt, her father sent her picture to the director [[Mohammed Karim]] who was looking for a young female child to play the role of a small girl with the famous actor and musician [[Mohamed Abdel Wahab]] in the film ''[[Yawm Said]]'' (يوم سعيد, ''Happy Day'', 1939). After an audition, Abdel Wahab decided she was the one he was looking for. After her role in the film, people called her "Egypt's own Shirley Temple".<ref name= hamama-temple>{{cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0281388|title=Yom Said|accessdate=21 November 2006|publisher=IMDb}}{{unreliable source|date=July 2015}}</ref><ref name= hamama-temple2>{{cite web|author =Karim, Mohammed|url=http://www.fatenhamama.com/English/Bio/Mohamed-Karim.html|title=Hamama, Egypt's own Shirley Temple|accessdate=21 November 2006|publisher=Official website}}</ref> The director liked her acting and was impressed with her so much that he signed a contract with her father. Four years later, she was chosen by Kareem for another role with Abdel Wahab in the film ''[[Rossassa Fel Qalb]]'' (رصاصة في 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.<ref name= Actinstitute>{{cite web|url=http://www.sis.gov.eg/En/Arts&Culture/Cinema&Drama/EgyptianStars/070402000000000001.htm|title=Faten Hamama's biography|accessdate=20 November 2006|publisher=Egypt State Information Service}}</ref>
When she won a children's beauty pageant in Egypt, her father sent her picture to the director [[Mohammed Karim]] who was looking for a young female child to play the role of a small girl with the famous actor and musician [[Mohamed Abdel Wahab]] in the film ''[[Yawm Said]]'' (يوم سعيد, ''Happy Day'', 1939). After an audition, Abdel Wahab decided she was the one he was looking for. After her role in the film, people called her "Egypt's own Shirley Temple".<ref name= hamama-temple>{{cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0281388|title=Yom Said|accessdate=21 November 2006|publisher=IMDb}}{{unreliable source|date=July 2015}}</ref><ref name= hamama-temple2>{{cite web|author =Karim, Mohammed|url=http://www.fatenhamama.com/English/Bio/Mohamed-Karim.html|title=Hamama, Egypt's own Shirley Temple|accessdate=21 November 2006|publisher=Official website}}</ref> The director liked her acting and was impressed with her so much that he signed a contract with her father. Four years later, she was chosen by Kareem for another role with Abdel Wahab in the film ''[[Rossassa Fel Qalb]]'' (رصاصة في 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.<ref name=Actinstitute>{{cite web|url=http://www.sis.gov.eg/En/Arts&Culture/Cinema&Drama/EgyptianStars/070402000000000001.htm |title=Faten Hamama's biography |accessdate=20 November 2006 |publisher=Egypt State Information Service |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928003023/http://www.sis.gov.eg/En/Arts&Culture/Cinema&Drama/EgyptianStars/070402000000000001.htm |archivedate=28 September 2007 |df=dmy }}</ref>


==Career==
==Career==
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Hamama left Egypt from 1966 to 1971, claiming that she was being harassed by Egyptian Intelligence. She had been a supporter of the [[1952 Revolution]], but later became an opponent of the [[Free Officers Movement (Egypt)|Free Officers]] and their oppressive regime.<ref name= Abdeen/> She said they were "asking her to cooperate" but she apologized and refused. In consequence, she was forbidden to travel or participate in film festivals. She was only able to leave Egypt after many serious disputes. <!--unsourced for now She lived in [[Beirut]] and London during this period. {{cn|date=November 2014}}-->
Hamama left Egypt from 1966 to 1971, claiming that she was being harassed by Egyptian Intelligence. She had been a supporter of the [[1952 Revolution]], but later became an opponent of the [[Free Officers Movement (Egypt)|Free Officers]] and their oppressive regime.<ref name= Abdeen/> She said they were "asking her to cooperate" but she apologized and refused. In consequence, she was forbidden to travel or participate in film festivals. She was only able to leave Egypt after many serious disputes. <!--unsourced for now She lived in [[Beirut]] and London during this period. {{cn|date=November 2014}}-->


While she was away, then President [[Gamal Abdel Nasser]] asked famous writers, journalists and friends to try to convince her to return to Egypt. He called her a "national treasure"<ref name=gamal_treasure>{{cite web|url=http://www.personal.psu.edu/users/f/u/fua107/Faten-assignment3.html|title=Gamal wants "national treasure" back|accessdate=13 November 2006|publisher=Biography by Al-Husseini}}</ref> and even awarded her an honorary decoration in 1965. However, she would not return until 1971, after Nasser's death. Following her return she played roles conveying messages of democracy. She often criticized the laws in Egypt in her films. In the 1972 film ''Imbarotiriyat Meem'' (إمبراطورية ميم, ''The Empire of M''), Hamama presented a pro-democratic point of view and received an award from the Soviet Union of Women in the Moscow International Festival. Her most significant film was ''[[I Want a Solution|Oridu Hallan]]'' (أريد حلاً, ''I Want a Solution''). In this film, she criticized laws governing marriage and divorce in Egypt.<ref name= oreedohallan3>{{cite web|author=Fountain, Clarke|url=http://movies2.nytimes.com/gst/movies/movie.html?v_id=155853|title=Orid Hallan|accessdate=24 November 2006|publisher=New York Times}}</ref> After the film, the Egyptian government abrogated a law that forbade wives from divorcing their husbands, therefore allowing [[khul']].<ref name= oreedohallan>{{cite web|author=El-Assyouti, Mohamed|url=http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2005/767/cu6.htm|title=Orid Hallan|accessdate=23 November 2006|publisher=[[Al-Ahram]]}}</ref><ref name= oreedohallan1>{{cite web|url=http://www.fatenhamama.com/Arabic/films/OREED-HALAN.html|title=Orid Hallan|accessdate=23 November 2006|publisher=fatenhamama.com}}</ref>
While she was away, then President [[Gamal Abdel Nasser]] asked famous writers, journalists and friends to try to convince her to return to Egypt. He called her a "national treasure"<ref name=gamal_treasure>{{cite web|url=http://www.personal.psu.edu/users/f/u/fua107/Faten-assignment3.html|title=Gamal wants "national treasure" back|accessdate=13 November 2006|publisher=Biography by Al-Husseini}}</ref> and even awarded her an honorary decoration in 1965. However, she would not return until 1971, after Nasser's death. Following her return she played roles conveying messages of democracy. She often criticized the laws in Egypt in her films. In the 1972 film ''Imbarotiriyat Meem'' (إمبراطورية ميم, ''The Empire of M''), Hamama presented a pro-democratic point of view and received an award from the Soviet Union of Women in the Moscow International Festival. Her most significant film was ''[[I Want a Solution|Oridu Hallan]]'' (أريد حلاً, ''I Want a Solution''). In this film, she criticized laws governing marriage and divorce in Egypt.<ref name= oreedohallan3>{{cite web|author=Fountain, Clarke|url=http://movies2.nytimes.com/gst/movies/movie.html?v_id=155853|title=Orid Hallan|accessdate=24 November 2006|publisher=New York Times}}</ref> After the film, the Egyptian government abrogated a law that forbade wives from divorcing their husbands, therefore allowing [[khul']].<ref name=oreedohallan>{{cite web|author=El-Assyouti, Mohamed |url=http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2005/767/cu6.htm |title=Orid Hallan |accessdate=23 November 2006 |publisher=[[Al-Ahram]] |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070102040845/http://weekly.ahram.org.eg:80/2005/767/cu6.htm |archivedate=2 January 2007 |df=dmy }}</ref><ref name= oreedohallan1>{{cite web|url=http://www.fatenhamama.com/Arabic/films/OREED-HALAN.html|title=Orid Hallan|accessdate=23 November 2006|publisher=fatenhamama.com}}</ref>


===Late career===
===Late career===
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|Nadia
|Nadia
|-
|-
|''[[AlI`tiraf|The Confession]]''<ref name="WatanYoum">{{link language|ar}} {{cite web | url=http://watanyoum.com/news/art_and_entertainment/id-2974 | title=انهيار الفنانات بعد دفن سيدة القصر [Actresses devastated following the burial of the Lady of the Palace] | publisher=Al-Watan Al-Youm | date=19 January 2015 | accessdate=19 January 2015}}</ref>
|''[[AlI`tiraf|The Confession]]''<ref name="WatanYoum">{{link language|ar}} {{cite web|url=http://watanyoum.com/news/art_and_entertainment/id-2974 |title=انهيار الفنانات بعد دفن سيدة القصر [Actresses devastated following the burial of the Lady of the Palace] |publisher=Al-Watan Al-Youm |date=19 January 2015 |accessdate=19 January 2015 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150120004937/http://watanyoum.com/news/art_and_entertainment/id-2974 |archivedate=20 January 2015 |df=dmy }}</ref>
|''Al-'Itriaf'', الاعتراف
|''Al-'Itriaf'', الاعتراف
|Nawal
|Nawal

Revision as of 12:48, 12 November 2016

Faten Hamama
فاتن حمامة
Hamama in 1950s
Born
Faten Ahmed Hamama

(1931-05-27)May 27, 1931
Mansoura, Dakahlia Governorate, Egypt
DiedJanuary 17, 2015(2015-01-17) (aged 83)
Cairo, Egypt
Occupation(s)actress, producer, production manager, screenwriter
Years active1940–2001
Spouse(s)Ezzel Dine Zulficar
(1947–1954; divorced)
Omar Sharif
(1955–1974; divorced)
Mohamed Abdel Wahab Mahmoud
(1975-2015; her death)
Children2

Faten Hamama (Arabic: فاتن حمامة  pronounced [ˈfæːten ħæˈmæːmæ] ⓘ; May 27, 1931 – January 17, 2015) was an Egyptian film and television actress and producer.[2]

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. Eventually, and after many successful performances, she was able to achieve stardom. Revered as an icon in Egyptian and Middle Eastern cinema, Hamama substantially helped in improving the cinema industry in Egypt and emphasizing the importance of women in cinema and Egyptian society.[3]

After a seven-year hiatus from acting, Hamama returned in 2000 in what was a much anticipated television miniseries, Wajh al-Qamar (وجه القمر, Face of the Moon). In 2000, she was selected as Star of the Century by the Egyptian Writers and Critics organization. In 2007, eight of the films she starred in were included in the top 100 films in the history of Egyptian cinema by the cinema committee of the Supreme Council of Culture in Cairo.[4]

Early life and career

Faten Hamama was born in 1931[5] to a Muslim lower middle class family in Mansoura, Egypt (according to her birth certificate), but she claimed to have been born in the Abdeen quarter of Cairo.[6] Her father, Ahmed Hamama, worked as a clerk in the Egyptian Ministry of Education and her mother was a housewife. She has an older brother, Muneer, a younger sister, Layla and a younger brother, Mazhar.[7] Her aspiration for acting arose at an early age. Hamama said that she was influenced by Assia Dagher as a child. When she was six years old, her father took her to the theater to see an Assia Dagher film; when the audience clapped for Assia, she told her father she felt they were clapping for her.[6]

Hamama in her first movie, Happy Day (1940)

When she won a children's beauty pageant in Egypt, her father sent her picture to the director Mohammed Karim who was looking for a young female child to play the role of a small girl with the famous actor and musician Mohamed Abdel Wahab in the film Yawm Said (يوم سعيد, Happy Day, 1939). After an audition, Abdel Wahab decided she was the one he was looking for. After her role in the film, people called her "Egypt's own Shirley Temple".[8][9] The director liked her acting and was impressed with her so much that he signed a contract with her father. Four years later, she was chosen by Kareem for another role with Abdel Wahab in the film Rossassa Fel Qalb (رصاصة في 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.[10]

Career

Youssef Wahbi, an Egyptian actor and director, recognised the young actress's talent so he offered her a lead role in the 1946 film Malak al-Rahma (ملاك الرحمة, Angel of Mercy). The film attracted widespread media attention, and Hamama, who was only 15 at the time, became famous for her melodramatic role. In 1949, Hamama had roles in three films with Wahbi: Kursi Al-I'etraf (كرسي الاعتراف, Chair of Confession), Al-Yateematain (اليتيمتين, The Two Orphans) and Sït Al-Bayt (ست البيت, Lady of the House). All were successful films.[11]

The 1950s were the beginning of the golden age of the Egyptian cinema industry and Hamama was a big part of it.[11] In 1952 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 Ameen (بابا أمين, Ameen, my Father, 1950) and Sira' Fi Al-Wadi (صراع في الوادي, Struggle in the Valley, 1954) 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 Manzel Raqam 13 (منزل رقم 13, House Number 13). In 1963, she received an award for her role in the political film La Waqt Lel Hob (لا وقت للحب, No Time for Love).[12] Hamama was also able to make it to Hollywood; in 1963 she had a role in the crime film, Cairo.[13]

In 1947, Hamama married actor/director Ezzel Dine Zulficar while filming the Abu Zayd al-Hilali (أبو زيد الهلالي) film. They started a production company which produced the film Maw'ed Ma' Al-Hayat (موعد مع الحياة, Date with Life) in which she starred. This particular film earned her the title of the "lady of the Arabic screen". She divorced al-Faqqar in 1954. One year later, she married Egyptian film star Omar Sharif. Meanwhile, Hamama continued to act in films directed by her first husband.[7]

Hamama and Omar Sharif in a scene from the 1957 film Ard el salam ("Land of Peace").

In 1954, while filming a Youssef Chahine film, Struggle in the Valley, Hamama refused to have the Egyptian actor Shukry Sarhan as a co-star, and Chahine offered Omar Sharif the role. Omar had just graduated from college then and was working for his father; Hamama accepted him as her co-star. Hamama had never agreed to act any scene involving a kiss in her career, but she shockingly accepted to do so in this film. They fell in love, and Sharif converted to Islam and married her. This marriage started a new era of Hamama's career, in which the couple made many films together.[11] Sharif and Hamama were the romantic leads of Ayyamna Al-Holwa (أيامنا الحلوة, Our Sweet Days), Ardh Al-Salam (أرض السلام, Land of Peace), La Anam (لا أنام, Sleepless) and Sayyidat Al-Qasr (سيدة القصر, The Lady of the Palace). Their last film together before their divorce, was Nahr Al-Hob (نهر الحب, The River of Love) in 1960.[14]

Controversy in the late 1960s

Hamama in Al Haram (1965).

Hamama left Egypt from 1966 to 1971, claiming that she was being harassed by Egyptian Intelligence. She had been a supporter of the 1952 Revolution, but later became an opponent of the Free Officers and their oppressive regime.[6] She said they were "asking her to cooperate" but she apologized and refused. In consequence, she was forbidden to travel or participate in film festivals. She was only able to leave Egypt after many serious disputes.

While she was away, then President Gamal Abdel Nasser asked famous writers, journalists and friends to try to convince her to return to Egypt. He called her a "national treasure"[15] and even awarded her an honorary decoration in 1965. However, she would not return until 1971, after Nasser's death. Following her return she played roles conveying messages of democracy. She often criticized the laws in Egypt in her films. In the 1972 film Imbarotiriyat Meem (إمبراطورية ميم, The Empire of M), Hamama presented a pro-democratic point of view and received an award from the Soviet Union of Women in the Moscow International Festival. Her most significant film was Oridu Hallan (أريد حلاً, I Want a Solution). In this film, she criticized laws governing marriage and divorce in Egypt.[16] After the film, the Egyptian government abrogated a law that forbade wives from divorcing their husbands, therefore allowing khul'.[17][18]

Late career

As Hamama became older, 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 Dameer Ablah Hikmat (ضمير أبلة حكمت, Mrs. Hikmat's Conscience).[20]

After 1993, her career came to a halt. 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 and she began to play realistic, strong women, such as in Sira' Fi Al-Wadi (صراع في الوادي, Struggle in the Valley, 1954) where she portrayed a rich man's daughter who, contrary to stereotype, was a realistic woman who helped and supported the poor. In the 1952 film Miss Fatmah (الأستاذة فاطمة), Hamama starred as a law student who believed women were as important as men in society.[24]

In Imbratoriyat Meem (امبراطورية ميم, The Empire of 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]

Most critics agree that Hamama's most challenging role was in the 1959 film Dua'e Al-Karawan (دعاء الكروان, The Nightingale's Prayer), which is considered to be one of the best Egyptian films. It is based on the novel by the same name by the prominent Egyptian writer Taha Hussein. In this film, Hamama played the role of Amnah, a young woman who seeks revenge from her uncle for the honor killing of her sister.[25] After this film, Hamama carefully picked her roles. In 1960, she starred in the film Nahr Hob (نهر حب, Love River) which was based on Leo Tolstoy's well known novel Anna Karenina and in 1961, she played the lead role in the 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 January 17, 2015, aged 83 due to health problems. Her son Tarek Sharif did not state the exact cause of her death.[26]

Tributes soon poured in from across the film industry following her death, as well as from government figures. Egyptian president Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, who was on a visit abroad, mourned her death and sent an envoy to her funeral, while a statement from his office described her as a person of "high creative value". "She will remain a symbol of the genuine Egyptian art and commitment to its ethics," the statement added.[27][28] The Ministry of Culture ordered a two-day period of mourning and a halt in all artistic activity.[29] Secretary-General of the Arab League, Nabil el-Arabi, called her a "symbol of refined Egyptian and Arab art".[28] The country’s dailies gave her prominence in their front pages, with newspaper Al-Akhbar displaying "Farewell to the Lady of the Arabic Screen" as a headline.[27]

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.[29] Attendees included Minister of Culture Gaber Asfour, former presidential candidate Amr Moussa, as well as several actors and actresses, but not Omar Sharif (who died at the same age less than six months later).[28] King Mohammed VI of Morocco assigned his country's ambassador in Cairo to attend the funeral.[30]

Marriages and children

While filming Abu Zayd al-Hilali (أبو زيد الهلالى) in 1947, she and director Ezzel 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.[6] The two remained friends, and Hamama continued to star in his films after the divorce. They had one child, a daughter, Nadia Zulficar. 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.[6]

Hamama later married Dr Mohamed Abdel Wahab Mahmoud, an Egyptian physician.[31] They resided in Cairo until her death on 17 January 2015 following a short illness.[32]

Awards, nominations and honours

Further information: List of Faten Hamama's awards and nominations

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.[33] 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.[34] International ones included special awards for acting 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.[35] 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,[34][36] and at the Carthage Film Festival in 1988 for her role in Bitter Days, Nice Days.[35]

Egyptian president Gamal Abdel Nasser awarding Faten Hamama the Decoration 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.[34] 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.[35] 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.[37]

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)[38]
  • Decoration of the Republic of First Degree for Art, from Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser (1965)[38]
  • Decoration of the State of the First Order, from Egyptian President Anwar Sadat (1976)[38]
  • Decoration of the Cedar, from Lebanese President Émile Lahoud (2001)[39]
  • Decoration of Intellectual Competence, from King Mohammed VI of Morocco (2001)[39]
  • On June 14, 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, after receiving her doctorate from Beirut, Lebanon.

Selected filmography

Main article: Filmography of Faten Hamama
Year International title Arabic title Role
1939 Happy Day Yawm Said, يوم سعيد Aneesa
1944 Bullet in the Heart Rossassa Fel Qalb, رصاصة في القلب Najwah
1946 Angel of Mercy Malak al-Rahma, ملاك الرحمة Thoraya
1947 Abu Zayd al-Hilali Abu Zayd al-Hilali, أبو زيد الهلالي Caliph's daughter
1948 The Small Millionaire Al-Millionairah al-Saghirah, المليونيرة الصغيرة Pilot's girlfriend
Immortality Khulood, خلود Laila / Amal
The Two Orphans Al-Yateematain, اليتيمتين Ne'mat
Towards Glory Nahwa al-Majd, نحو المجد Suhair
1949 Chair of Confession Kursi al-I'tiraf, كرسي الاعتراف Phileberta
Lady of the House Sitt al-Bayt, ست البيت Elham
Every House Has a Man Kul Bayt Lahu Rajel, كلّ بيت له راجل Faten
1951 Son of the Nile Ibn al-Nile, ابن النيل Zebaida
Your Day Will Come Lak Yawm Ya Zalem, لك يوم يا ظالم Ne'mat
I'm The Past Ana al-Madi, أنا الماضي Elham's daughter
1952 House Number 13 Al-Manzel Raqam 13, المنزل رقم 13 Nadia
Immortal Song Lahn al-Kholood, لحن الخلود Wafa'
Miss Fatimah Al-Ustazah Fatimah, الأستاذة فاطمة Fatimah
1953 A'isha A'isha, عائشة A'isha
Date with Life Maw'ed Ma' al-Hayat, موعد مع الحياة Amal
1954 Pity My Tears Irham Dmoo'i, ارحم دموعي Amal
Traces in the Sand Athar Fi al-Rimal, أثار في الرمال Ragia
The Unjust Angel Al-Malak al-Zalem, الملاك الظالم Nadia
Always with You Dayman Ma'ak, دائما معاك Tefeeda
Date with Happiness Maw'ed Ma' al-Sa'adah, موعد مع السعادة Ehsan / Amal
Struggle in the Valley Sira' Fi al-Wadi, صراع في الوادي Amal
1955 Our Beautiful Days Ayyamna al-Holwa, أيامنا الحلوة Hoda
Love and Tears Hob Wa Dumoo'', حب و دموع Fatimah
1956 Love Date Maw'ed Gharam, موعد غرام Nawal
Struggle in the Pier Sira' Fi al-Mina, صراع في الميناء Hameedah
1957 Road of Hope Tareeq al-Amal, طريق الأمل Faten
Land of Peace Ard al-Salam, أرض السلام Salma
Sleepless La Anam, لا أنام Nadia Lotfy
1958 The Barred Road Al-Tareeq al-Masdood, الطريق المسدود Fayza
The Virgin Wife Al-Zawjah al-Azra', الزوجة العذراء Mona
Lady of the Castle Sayyidat al-Qasr, سيدة القصر Sawsan
1959 Among the Ruins Bayn al-Atlal, بين الأطلال Mona
The Nightingale's Prayer Doaa al-Karawan, دعاء الكروان Amnah
1960 River of Love Nahr al-Hob, نهر الحب Nawal
1961 I Will Not Confess Lan A'tref, لن أعترف Amal
Don't Set the Sun Off La Tutf'e al-Shams, لا تطفئ الشمس Layla
1962 The Miracle[40] Al-Mu'jiza, المعجزة Layla
1963 Cairo (USA) Cairo Amina
No Time For Love[41] La Waqt Lil Hob, لا وقت للحُب Fawziyah
The Open Door[34] Al-Bab al-Maftooh, الباب المفتوح Laila
The Last Night Al-Laylah al-Akheera, الليلة الأخيرة Nadia / Fawziyah
1965 The Sin Al-Haram, الحرام Azizah
Story of a Lifetime[42] Hikayet al-'Omr Kolloh, حكاية العمر كلّه Nadia
The Confession[43] Al-'Itriaf, الاعتراف Nawal
1966 Something in My Life[43] Shai' Fi Hayati, شيء في حياتي A'ida
1970 The Great Love[43] Al-Hob al-Kabeer, الحب الكبير Hanan
1971 The Thin Thread[43] Al-Khayt al-Rfee, الخيط الرفيع Mona
1972 M Empire Imbratoriyat Meem, امبراطورية ميم Mona
1974 My Love[43] Habibati, حبيبتي Samia
I Need a Solution Oridu Hallan, أريدُ حلاً Fawziyah
1977 Mouths and Rabbits[43] Afwah wa Araneb, أفواه و أرانب Ne'mat
1979 No Condolences for Ladies[43] Wa La 'Aza'a Lil Sayyidat, ولا عزاء للسيدات Rawya
1985 The Night of Fatima's Arrest[43] Laylat al-Qabd 'Ala Fatimah, ليلة القبض على فاطمة Fatimah
1988 Sweet Days.. Bitter Days[43] Yawm Mur Yawm Hilw, يوم مر.. يوم حلو Aisha
1993 Land of Dreams[43] Ard al-Ahlam, أرض الأحلام Nargis

Television

Year Title Arabic Role
1991 Miss Hikmat's Conscience (mini-series)[44] Dameer Ablah Hikmat, ضمير أبلة حكمت Hikmat
2000 Face of the Moon (mini-series) Wajh al-Qamar, وجه القمر Ibtisam al-Bostany

See also

References

  1. ^ "A love story that defied social and religious barriers"
  2. ^ "Filmography". IMDb. Retrieved 23 November 2006.[unreliable source?]
  3. ^ 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. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  4. ^ Farid, Samir. "Top 100". Al-Ahram. Retrieved 31 March 2007.
  5. ^ Sharif, Omar (1977), The Eternal Matgjtttftyle: Mhhhy Own Sug5tory, Doubleday: New York, 1st edition, p. 69.
  6. ^ 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. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  7. ^ a b "Hamama's biodata". IMDb. Retrieved 12 November 2006.[unreliable source?]
  8. ^ "Yom Said". IMDb. Retrieved 21 November 2006.[unreliable source?]
  9. ^ Karim, Mohammed. "Hamama, Egypt's own Shirley Temple". Official website. Retrieved 21 November 2006.
  10. ^ "Faten Hamama's biography". Egypt State Information Service. Archived from the original on 28 September 2007. Retrieved 20 November 2006. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  11. ^ a b c Darwish (1998) pp. 30–31
  12. ^ Al-Khodari, Khalid. "Hamama receives award" (in Arabic). Alalam. Archived from the original on 28 September 2007. Retrieved 12 November 2006.
  13. ^ Mannikka, Eleanor. "Cairo". New York Times. Retrieved 21 November 2006.
  14. ^ "Omar Sharif filmography". IMDb. Retrieved 20 November 2006.[unreliable source?]
  15. ^ "Gamal wants "national treasure" back". Biography by Al-Husseini. Retrieved 13 November 2006.
  16. ^ a b Fountain, Clarke. "Orid Hallan". New York Times. 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. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  18. ^ a b "Orid Hallan". fatenhamama.com. Retrieved 23 November 2006.
  19. ^ Mannikka, Eleanor. "Leilet al Qabd ala Fatma". 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. 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. Retrieved 24 November 2006.[dead link]
  25. ^ "Nightinagale's Prayer movie". fatenhamama.com. Retrieved 24 November 2006.
  26. ^ "Egypt film icon Faten Hamama dies, aged 83". BBC. 18 January 2015. Retrieved 18 January 2015.
  27. ^ a b Al Sherbini, Ramadan (18 January 2015). "Faten Hamama: Tributes pour in for acting legend". Gulf News. Retrieved 18 January 2015.
  28. ^ a b c Al Sherbini, Ramadan (18 January 2015). "Faten Hamama's funeral attracts hundreds of mourners". Gulf News. Retrieved 18 January 2015.
  29. ^ a b "Hundreds Gather at Funeral of Egyptian Actress Faten Hamama". ABC News. 18 January 2015. Retrieved 18 January 2015.
  30. ^ Ahmed, Basant (18 January 2015). "Morocco's King assigns ambassador to attend Faten Hamama's Funeral". El-Balad. Retrieved 18 January 2015.
  31. ^ "Faten Hamama biography". MSN Arabia Entertainment. Archived from the original on 23 November 2006. Retrieved 24 November 2006.
  32. ^ Notice of death of Faten Hamama, alarabiya.net; accessed 18 January 2014.Template:En icon
  33. ^ Saeed, Saeed (18 January 2015). "Arab film icon Faten Hamama dies aged 83". The National. Retrieved 19 January 2015. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  34. ^ a b c d Template:Link language "جوائز وتكريمات فاتن حمامة [Awards and honours received by Faten Hamama]". Al-Akhbar. 19 January 2015. Retrieved 19 January 2015. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  35. ^ a b c "DIFF honour for Hamama". Khaleej Times. 1 December 2009. Retrieved 19 January 2015. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  36. ^ Template:Link language "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.
  37. ^ Khatchatourian, Maane (17 January 2015). "Egyptian Actress Faten Hamama Dies at 83". Variety. Retrieved 19 January 2015. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  38. ^ a b c Template:Link language 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. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  39. ^ a b Template:Link language 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. Retrieved 19 January 2015. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  40. ^ Template:Link language Alawy, Ahmed (8 April 2014). "شادية وفاتن حمامة فى لقطة نادرة بكواليس فيلم "المعجزة" [A rare snapshot of Shadia and Faten Hamama behind the scenes of The Miracle]". Cairo Dar. Retrieved 19 January 2015.
  41. ^ Template:Link language Al-Ghamrawy, Ahmed (18 January 2015). "بعد مشوار دام 75 عاماً.. رحيل فاتن حمامة [Following a 75-year long career.. the death of Faten Hamama]". Asharq Al-Awsat. Retrieved 19 January 2015. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  42. ^ Template:Link language Al-Refai, Mahmoud (18 January 2015). "٢٣ أغنية في حب فاتن حمامة [23 love songs for Faten Hamama]". El Watan. Retrieved 19 January 2015. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  43. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Template:Link language "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. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  44. ^ Template:Link language Ali, Mahmoud (19 January 2015). "سميرة عبد العزيز: فاتن حمامة أطلقت عليا "البلسم" في مسلسل ضمير أبلة حكمت". Al-Shorouk. Retrieved 20 January 2015. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)

Sources

Published sources

  • Ayoub-Geday, Paul (2002). Egypt Almanac 2002–2003: The Encyclopedia of Modern Egypt. American University in Cairo Press. ISBN 977-5893-02-X.
  • Darwish, Mustafa (1998). Dream Makers on the Nile: A Portrait of Egyptian Cinema. Columbia University Press. ISBN 977-424-429-X.
  • Farid, Samir (1995). Faten Hamama. Egyptian Cultural Development Fund. ISBN 977-235-329-6.
  • Karnouk, Liliane (June 2005) [2003]. Modern Egyptian Art:1910–2003. American University in Cairo Press. ISBN 977-424-859-7.

Online sources

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Faten Hamama.
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