Aziza Amir

Aziza Amir (; 17 December 1901 – 28 February 1952) was an Egyptian actress, producer, and screenwriter. She is well-regarded in Egyptian film, often referred to as "the godmother of Egyptian cinema."

Early life Aziza Amir was born Mofida Mohamed Ghoneim in Alexandria on 17 December 1901, to a family originally from Damietta. Her father died while Mofida was still an infant, after which point the family relocated to Cairo. Following the revolution of 1919, Egyptian women sought more active roles in public life. Nevertheless, a stigma against actresses persisted, and Mofida adopted the stage name Aziza Amir in order to avoid negatively impacting her family's reputation. It was under this name that she began her career in theater.

Career In 1925, Amir joined the "Ramsis" acting troupe. That same year, her starring role in Al-Jah al-Muzayyaf (The Fake Status) launched her to success in the theater world. Shortly after, Amir starred in a stage production of Napoleonette, through which she met her first husband Ahmed El Sheirei, the then-mayor of Samalout.

Laila (1927), commonly considered the first Egyptian film ever made, marked Aziza's debut into film stardom. The film was released on 16 November 1927, following a strung of conflicts with director Wadad Orfi and German producers. Orfi was eventually replaced as director by Stephane Rosti, though some of Orfi's originally shots remained in the film's final cut. Both the media and Amir husband's family at the time of Laila'''s release opposed her participation in the film; Laila went on to be a success. It was around this time that Amir and her first husband would divorce. She would star and produce a total of twenty five films in her lifetime. The couple co-produced A Girl from Palestine (1948), a romantic wartime drama highlighting the struggles of Palestinians amidst the ongoing war. thumb Amir and Mahmoud Zulfikar on the poster for Ibn El-balad (1942)Amir remained active as a leading actress and producer for the remainder of her life. She died at the age of fifty of an unnamed terminal illness.

As writerPay for Your Sins (1933)The Workshop (1940)El warsha (1941) Ibn El-Balad (1942) The Magic Hat (1944) My Daughter (1944) Hadaya (1947) Above the Clouds (1948) A Girl from Palestine (1948) My Father Deceived Me (1951)

As producer Laila (1927) Pay for your Sins (1933)My Daughter (1945) Hadaya (1947) Everyone Is Singing (1948) A Girl from Palestine (1948) The Night is Ours (1949) Above the Clouds (1948)Virtue for Sale (1950) My Father Deceived Me (1951)

As director Laila (1927) Daughter of the Nile (1927) Pay for Your Sins'' (1933)