Ahmed Zaki (Aug. 1949- March 2005)
Ahmed Zaki was one of the few legendary actors that made a lasting impression in the history of Arab cinema. With a total of 55 movies made, the memory of Zaki has been engraved in the viewers’ minds. Zaki’s roles varied from comedy, drama to the portrayal of Egyptian former Presidents Gamal Abdel Nasser and Anwar El Sadaat.
Zaki started his career slowly but steadily with two small, but memorable, roles in the movies Abnaa El Samt ( Children of Silence ) in 1974 and El Omr Lahza ( Life is a moment ) in 1978. Zaki’s big break came later that same year when he played a leading role in the movie “Shafiqa we Metwally (“Shafiqa and Metwally ).
His outstanding career only matched his talent. Zaki, in his the early years of his career, shared the screen with giants of cinema such as Farid Shawky, Yousif Wahby and Soad Hosni. Zaki also acted in the movie El Hob Fawk Hadbet El-Haram ( Love on the Pyramids Plateau ) in 1986 written by Nobel Prize winner Naguib Mahfouz. Later in 1979, he acted in the award-winning movie Eskenderia Leih ( Alexandria, Why ), directed by Youssef Chahine as part of his biographic movie series.
The characters Zaki portrayed on stage continue to comment on generations. As a errant, disobedient student in Madrasat El Moshaghbin ( School of Troublemakers ) and a the nerdish son of a dysfunctional family in El Ayal Kibrit ( The Kids Have Grown Up ), Zaki has created unforgettable roles.
Acting for Zaki was more of a hobby than a profession. Director Mohamed Khan, who worked with Zaki in six movies, described his acting talent as similar to Hollywood stars Al Pacino and Robert DeNiro, and if Zaki spoke English, he believes he would have been an international star like Omar El Sherif. Khan added that directors usually did not ask Zaki to repeat his shots because the spontaneity of his first shots was the best.
Zaki’s battle with cancer began in January 2004. During those days, Zaki was filming the movie “Halim, in which he portrayed the character of Abdel Halim Hafiz, a character he longed wished to portray. In a press conference at the Four Seasons Cairo at Nile Plaza Hotel, the Good News 4 Me Group, Zaki announced his deep interest in portraying Halim, since he felt a particular affinity toward the legend. They were both orphans and grew up in the same village, and though they both struggled throughout their lives, they achieved an iconic status among the Egyptian public.
Zaki did not get to see the success of his movie, since he died from a brain hemorrhage after filming 90 percent of the scenes, while his son Haitham filmed the rest of the scenes.
