Abdel Hamid Zaki
Actor
About Abdel Hamid Zaki
Abdel Hamid Zaki was a pioneering actor in the nascent Egyptian film industry during the silent era of the 1920s. He appeared in what is considered one of Egypt's earliest feature films, 'Barsoum Looking for a Job' (1923), which was directed by Mohamed Bayoumi, a foundational figure in Egyptian cinema. The film was part of the first wave of Egyptian productions that emerged after the country's independence movement gained momentum. Zaki's participation in this landmark film places him among the very first generation of Egyptian film actors, though his career appears to have been brief and primarily centered around this single notable work. His role came during a period when Egyptian cinema was still finding its voice and establishing itself as a cultural institution. Unfortunately, like many actors from this pioneering era, detailed records of his life and career are scarce, reflecting the limited documentation and preservation of early Egyptian film history.
The Craft
Milestones
- Appeared in 'Barsoum Looking for a Job' (1923), one of Egypt's earliest feature films
Best Known For
Iconic Roles
Must-See Films
Working Relationships
Worked Often With
Why They Matter
Impact on Culture
Abdel Hamid Zaki's contribution to Egyptian cinema, though brief, represents an important moment in the country's film history as part of the first generation of Egyptian film actors. His appearance in 'Barsoum Looking for a Job' places him among the pioneers who helped establish the foundation of what would become one of the most prolific film industries in the Arab world. The film itself was significant as one of the earliest Egyptian narrative feature films, created during a period of national cultural awakening following the 1919 Egyptian Revolution. While his individual impact may have been limited due to the brevity of his documented career, his participation in this early production contributed to the development of Egyptian cinematic language and storytelling techniques that would evolve throughout the 20th century.
Lasting Legacy
Abdel Hamid Zaki's legacy is primarily preserved through his association with one of Egypt's earliest surviving film productions. As an actor from the silent era of Egyptian cinema, he represents the foundational generation of performers who helped establish film as a medium of artistic expression in Egypt. His work, though not extensively documented, is part of the historical record of how Egyptian cinema emerged from its infancy to become a major cultural force in the Arab world. The scarcity of information about him also reflects the broader challenge of preserving and documenting the contributions of early film pioneers in developing film industries.
Who They Inspired
Due to the limited documentation of his career and the early period in which he worked, specific influences of Abdel Hamid Zaki on subsequent generations of Egyptian actors are difficult to trace. However, as part of the first wave of Egyptian film performers, he contributed to establishing the precedent for Egyptian actors working in narrative feature films, helping pave the way for the golden age of Egyptian cinema that would emerge in the following decades.
Off Screen
Very little is documented about the personal life of Abdel Hamid Zaki, which is typical for actors from the very early period of Egyptian cinema when personal biographical details were rarely preserved in film archives or historical records.
Did You Know?
- Appeared in what is considered one of Egypt's first feature films in 1923
- Worked during the silent era of Egyptian cinema before the advent of sound
- The film 'Barsoum Looking for a Job' was directed by Mohamed Bayoumi, a pioneer of Egyptian cinema
- His career coincided with the early years of Egyptian independence and cultural renaissance
- Very few actors from this period have extensive biographical records preserved
- The film was part of the first wave of Egyptian productions following the 1919 Revolution
- Like many early Egyptian films, 'Barsoum Looking for a Job' represents an important cultural artifact of Egypt's cinematic beginnings
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Abdel Hamid Zaki?
Abdel Hamid Zaki was an Egyptian actor from the silent era who appeared in one of Egypt's earliest feature films, 'Barsoum Looking for a Job' in 1923. He was part of the first generation of Egyptian film actors during the very beginning of the country's cinema industry.
What films is Abdel Hamid Zaki best known for?
Abdel Hamid Zaki is known for his appearance in 'Barsoum Looking for a Job' (1923), which is considered one of Egypt's first narrative feature films and a significant work in the early history of Egyptian cinema.
When was Abdel Hamid Zaki born and when did he die?
Unfortunately, specific birth and death dates for Abdel Hamid Zaki are not available in historical records, which is common for actors from the very early period of Egyptian cinema when documentation was limited.
What awards did Abdel Hamid Zaki win?
There are no recorded awards or honors for Abdel Hamid Zaki, as he worked during the very early period of Egyptian cinema before formal award systems were established in the Egyptian film industry.
What was Abdel Hamid Zaki's acting style?
Due to the limited documentation of his work and the fact that he appeared in silent films, specific details about Abdel Hamid Zaki's acting style are not preserved in historical records. Like most actors of the silent era, he would have used exaggerated gestures and facial expressions typical of that period.
How significant is Abdel Hamid Zaki in Egyptian cinema history?
While his documented career was brief, Abdel Hamid Zaki holds historical significance as one of the first generation of Egyptian film actors who helped establish the foundation of Egyptian cinema during its silent era in the 1920s.
Films
1 film
