Shadi Abdel Salam

Directing

Shadi Abdel Salam

Born March 15, 1930 · Alexandria, Egypt

Died October 8, 1986 · aged 56

Shadi Abdel Salam (Arabic: شادي عبد السلام‎‎) was an Egyptian film director, screenwriter and costume and set designer. Born in Alexandria on 15 March 1930, Shadi graduated from Victoria College, Alexandria, 1948, and then moved to England to study theater arts from 1949 to 1950. He then joined faculty of fine arts in Cairo where he graduated as an architect in 1955. He worked as assistant to the …

Known For

SaladinSaladin · 1963
Saladin
7.11963
MovieDramaWar
The first Sultan of Egypt and Syria leads the Muslim military campaign against the invading Christians from Europe during the Third Crusade.
PharaohPharaoh · 1966
Pharaoh
6.71966
MovieHistoryDrama
Young Pharaoh Ramses XIII clashes with Egypt's clergy over influence on the affairs of the state and its coffers. inexperienced, but quite ambitious pharaoh is putting up a fight against a powerful clan of priests usurping rule over the country.
Oh IslamOh Islam · 1961
Oh Islam
5.81961
MovieWarDrama
Set in the 14th century. Under their leader Timur, the Tartar hordes invade the Middle East and take over areas as widespread as Persia, Azerbaijan, Egypt, and Syria. A lowly woman from a harem (Lubna Aziz) rises to lead the Egyptians against the invaders.
The Eloquent PeasantThe Eloquent Peasant · 1970
The Eloquent Peasant
7.11970
MovieHistoryDrama
Based on one of the major literary texts survived from the Middle Kingdom, the classical period of Egyptian literature, The Eloquent Peasant is a combination of a morality/folk tale and a poem. The events are set between 2160 and 2025 BC. When the peasant Khun-anup and his donkey stumble upon the lands of the noble Rensi, the peasant’s goods are confiscated and he’s unjustly accused of theft. The peasant petitions Rensi who is so taken by the peasant’s eloquence that he report his astonishing discovery to the king. The king realises the peasant has been wronged but delays judgement so as to he can hear more of his eloquence. The peasant makes a total of nine petitions until finally, his goods are returned.
The Night of Counting the YearsThe Night of Counting the Years · 1969
The Night of Counting the Years
7.71969
MovieDramaHistory
Set in 1881, a year before the start of British colonial rule, it is based on the true story of the Abd el-Rasuls, an Upper-Egyptian clan that had been robbing a cache of mummies they have discovered at tomb DB320 near the village of Kurna, and selling the artifacts on the black market. After a conflict within the clan, one of its members made a crucial decision when the Antiquities Service arrived.
Prince of CunningnessPrince of Cunningness · 1964
Prince of Cunningness
6.31964
MovieActionDrama
This lavish period action-adventure is an Egyptian version of The Count Of Monte Cristo.
Between Two PalacesBetween Two Palaces · 1964
Between Two Palaces
6.01964
MovieDrama
The life paths of the family of Mr. Ahmed Abdel Gawad during the period of the British occupation, and before the outbreak of the 1919 revolution, starting with the family's patriarch who lives a double life, his son Fahmy who joins a secret political organization, and the older son Yassin who follows his father's footsteps in pursuing women.
Antar's DaughterAntar's Daughter · 1964
Antar's Daughter
8.01964
MovieActionDrama
After Antar's death, the men of the Bani Fazaza tribe take revenge on the men of the Bani Abs tribe, leaving no man from them, and Antar's sister can escape and hide Antar's daughter, raising her to hate her father's enemies until she grows up

Filmography

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The Eloquent PeasantThe Eloquent Peasant · 1970
The Eloquent Peasant
7.11970
MovieHistoryDrama
Based on one of the major literary texts survived from the Middle Kingdom, the classical period of Egyptian literature, The Eloquent Peasant is a combination of a morality/folk tale and a poem. The events are set between 2160 and 2025 BC. When the peasant Khun-anup and his donkey stumble upon the lands of the noble Rensi, the peasant’s goods are confiscated and he’s unjustly accused of theft. The peasant petitions Rensi who is so taken by the peasant’s eloquence that he report his astonishing discovery to the king. The king realises the peasant has been wronged but delays judgement so as to he can hear more of his eloquence. The peasant makes a total of nine petitions until finally, his goods are returned.

Director

A Distant EchoA Distant Echo · 2016
A Distant Echo
2016
MovieDocumentary
Mythic, quiet, and beautifully shot on 35mm film in the deserts of California, Clark’s film explores themes of culture, cultural excavation and appropriation, and the construction of history. Playing with movement and light in natural settings, with a glorious score, layered with a dialogue of two explorers, the film re-enacts the negotiations of an archaeologist from Cairo with members of an Egyptian tribe who guard ancient culture hidden in tombs lost in the desert. The scenario for the film was adapted from the 1969 Egyptian film A Night of Counting the Years, directed by Shadi Abdel Salam, creating a layered story with echoes of ancient Egypt, reflections on the diversity of desert ecology, and recent archaeological digs for lost Hollywood film sets.

Writer