EGYPT: A film about legendary Egyptian singer Abdel Halim Hafez is expected to break all records in Egypt's history of cinema when it is released in 2006

Record ID: 690097

  • Title: EGYPT: A film about legendary Egyptian singer Abdel Halim Hafez is expected to break all records in Egypt's history of cinema when it is released in 2006
  • Date: 3rd November 2005
  • Summary: (MER-1) CAIRO, EGYPT (OCTOBER 24, 2005) (REUTERS) SOUNDBITE (Arabic) ADEL ADEEB SAYING: "Our expectation after we saw the film is that this film is not going to be a just a seasonal success, but a film for life. You can watch it at any time because this film represents two big stars (Zaki and Hafiz)."
  • Embargoed: 18th November 2005 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Egypt
  • Country: Egypt
  • Reuters ID: LVA9Q0VWM5VKH9K0RO58RVU80JD5
  • Story Text: A film about the life of Egyptian superstar singer Abdel Halim Hafiz is expected to break all box office records in the history of Egyptian and Arab cinema when it is released in the summer of 2006, the production house making the film says.
    The film 'Halim' is about the life of Hafiz, who was known as Halim, and charts his rise from humble beginnings to superstardom as a singer, before his death in 1977 at age of 48 from an illness believed to be caused by swimming in the Nile River.
    In an ironic and poignant twist, the much-loved Egyptian film star Ahmed Zaki, who plays Abdel Halim Hafiz in the film, died at age 55 of cancer in May, 2005, during the making of the film.
    Zaki's funeral was filmed for use in the film 'Halim' and was broadcast live on television in Egypt and across the Arab world.
    Before his death, Zaki attended a reception in his honour and for the film, where he was warmly received by colleagues.
    Zaki told those gathered that it had been his lifelong dream to play Halim. Zaki, one of Egypt's best-loved actors and believed to be among the best of his generation of actors, had also played the Egyptian Presidents Abdul Nasser in the 1996 film 'Nasser '56', and Anwar Sadat in the 2001 film 'Days of Sadat.'
    "Who is this person (Abdel Halim Hafez)? What did he see? How can he find a place among his colleagues, among the great scholars? How did this very simple boy who came from a shelter make it to the top of Arab singing?" Zaki said at the reception, which was organised by the Good News Group production house, which is making the film.
    Adel Adeeb from the Good News Group production house said 'Halim' would be distributed nationally and internationally at the same time. He expected that it would break all box office records in the history of Arab cinema.
    "As to the selling (of the film), it is the highest in the history (of Egyptian cinema). The figures we have so far for external distribution are higher than any other film," Adeeb told Reuters.
    Zaki inisted on leaving his hospital bed to shoot scenes for the film, and finished more than 90 per cent of the film before he died. His 21-year-old son, actor Haitham, who played Halim in his younger days, finished the film.
    Adeeb said that 'Halim' will be a film that people will want to watch over and over because it involves two huge Arab stars, Abdel Halim and Zaki.
    "Our expectation after we saw the film is that this film is not going to be just a seasonal success, but a film for life. You can watch it at any time because this film represents two big stars" Adeeb said.
    "They (people) keep asking about the film and when it is going to be released. The people want to see Ahmed Zaki, the one they love, and they want to see Abdel Halim (Hafiz)" Adeeb added.
    Adeeb, who is also a film director, said that his group is preparing to make a film on al-Qaeda militant Osama bin Laden. Production will begin in 2007, Adeeb said.
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