Culture & Education | Wednesday 5 October, 2016 2:03 pm |

The 35th edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF), taking place on November 2, 2016, will play host to renowned Egyptian actor Ezzat Al Alaili in appreciation of his significant contribution to Egyptian Cinema over many decades and his highly creative film interpretations of the best Egyptian and Arabic novels through a huge collection of films and TV series.

 

The acclaimed actor has been singled out for recognition not only for his many on-screen achievements, but also as a witness to the cultural and intellectual transformations in the Arab World. He has portrayed unique Arabic characters throughout crucial transitions in history, and their place in key landmarks and milestones, from the 1950s until now.

 

The importance of Al Alaili in a cultural context is evident throughout his TV and cinema career and in line with the vision of SIBF, where reaching pivotal issues in the Arab cultural landscape is paramount.

 

Some of Al Alaili’s greatest screen contributions have included roles based on novels by renowned Arab authors in the 20th century. He performed the character of Abd Al-Hadi in the celebrated film entitled Al Ard (The Land), which was based on a novel by Egyptian author Abd Al-Rahman Al-Sharqawi. Produced in 1970 and directed by Youssef Chahine, filmmaking historians considered Al Ard as one of the most important Egyptian films. Movie critics ranked it as number two in the top 100 Egyptian films to celebrate the centenary anniversary of Egyptian cinema.

 

The 82-year-old actor also performed as the central character in Al Ikhtiar (The Choice), which was based on a novel by Naguib Mahfouz, winner of 1988 Nobel Prize for Literature.

 

Al Alaili played the lead role in Al Saqa Mat (The Water Carrier is Dead), based on a novel of the same title, which revolves around the concept of death in the 1920s and 1930s. It tells the story of the water carrier Mouallem Shousha who stills grieves for his wife, even though she died many years before.

 

Among Al Alaili’s other key roles were Aad Li Yantaqim (Back with a Vengeance), Al Qadisiyya (Battle of Al Qadissiya), Al Faas Fi Al Raas (Too Late), Thiaab La Takol Al Lahm (Wolves Which Do Not Eat Meat) and many more.