Amr Arafa

Amr Arafa
عمرو عرفة
Born
Amr Arafa

(1962-12-09) December 9, 1962 (age 62)
Cairo, Egypt
NationalityEgyptian
American
OccupationDirector
Years active1983–present
FatherSaad Arafa
RelativesSherif Arafa (brother)

Amr Arafa (born 9 December 1962), is an Egyptian filmmaker.[1] Considered one of the best filmmakers in Egyptian cinema, Arafa is best known as the director of critically acclaimed award-winning films Africano, Zahaymar, Helm Aziz and Akher Deek Fi Masr.[2]

Personal life

He was born on 9 December 1962 in Cairo, Egypt. His father Saad Arafa was also a prolific film-maker. Saad was born on April 1, 1923, and died on July 1, 1998. He made several popular films of his generation such as Al E'iteraf, Marzooka and Demoua' Fi Lailat El Zefaf.[3]

Amr's older brother, Sherif Arafa is also a popular filmmaker in Egypt. He was born on December 25, 1960. His most notable films include, Birds of Darkness , Mafia, Halim and Welad El Am.

In 2005, Arafa moved to the United States for graduate school. Then he spent most of his time in the US for 11 years on temporary education. He also formed his own business management consulting company and, later assured green card in 2015.[4]

Career

He started cinema career in 1983 with the footsteps of his father. In 1991, Amr established his own production company, FinalCut Film Production. Since then, he produced and directed numerous films, commercials, TV series and documentaries.[5]

In 2001, he directed and produced his maiden feature film Africano. The film was filmed in South Africa and made its premier on 11 July 2001 in Egypt. The film received critical acclaim and later screened in nearby African countries as well as screened in Europe. In Kuwait, the film made its premier on 31 October 2001 whereas in Greece, it was released at the Greek Film Archive on 28 February 2012.[6]

After his successful maiden film, he continuously performed a successful directing career with the films: Akher Deek Fi Masr (2017), Men 30 Sana (2016), TV Series Saraya Abdeen (2015), Abu El Nil (2013), Helm Aziz (2011), Zahaymar (2010), Ibn el-Qunsul (2009), El Shabah (2008), Gaaltany Mogreman (2006) and El Sefara Fel Emara (2004).[5]

Filmography

Year Film Role Genre Ref.
2001 Africano Director Film [7]
2004 El Sefara Fel Emara Director Film
2005 The Embassy in the Building Director Film
2006 She Made Me a Criminal Director Film
2007 The Ghost Director Film
2008 El Shabah Director Film
2010 Zahaymar Director Film [8]
2011 Ibn el-Qunsul Director Film
2012 Helm Aziz Director Film
2013 Samir Abu el-Nil Director Film
2014 Saraya Abdeen Director TV series [9]
2016 Men 30 Sana Director Film
2017 Akher Deek Fi Masr Director Film
2017 Lamei Al Qott Director TV series

References

  1. ^ "Director Amr Arafa concludes shooting 'Men 30 Sana' Moqattam scenes". Egypt Independent. Retrieved 4 November 2020.
  2. ^ "Amr Arafa films". elcinema. Retrieved 4 November 2020.
  3. ^ "Late Egyptian filmmaker Saad Arafa honoured on 100th night of Cinema Masr". Ahram Online. Retrieved 4 November 2020.
  4. ^ "This man launched a website so people can invite refugees to stay in their homes". Washington Post. Retrieved 4 November 2020.
  5. ^ a b "Amr Arafa films". vimeo. Retrieved 4 November 2020.
  6. ^ "Africano (2001): Adventure, Comedy". IMDb. Retrieved 4 November 2020.
  7. ^ "Africano (2001)". elcinema. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  8. ^ Alzheimer's Scenario Lacks Depth, elcinema.com
  9. ^ Al Arabiya exclusive: Making of MBC ramadan drama Saraya Abdeen from Al Arabiya English.