The Cairo International Film Festival expresses its deep sadness following the disappearance of the Egyptian actor Mostafa Fahmy, brother of the famous actor Hussein Fahmy, president of the festival.
The Cairo International Film Festival expresses its deep sadness following the disappearance of the Egyptian actor Mostafa Fahmy, brother of the famous actor Hussein Fahmy,, President of the festival. A true icon, Mostafa Fahmy leaves behind an impressive career, rich in an artistic heritage engraved in the history of cinema and television, both in Egypt and internationally. During his decades of activity, he knew how to capture the hearts of spectators by his charisma, his talent, and his devotion for art.
A modest start for a flamboyant career
Born in a family with a strong artistic anchoring, Mostafa Fahmy took his first steps in the world of cinema as a photographer assistant on the film Amirat Hobi Ana In 1974. This preliminary role already marked the beginning of an unshakable passion for the seventh art. His talent was quick to be noticed, and very quickly, he accesses the leads of the scene with significant roles which propel him under the lights of the ramp.
It’s with the film Ayna Aqly?/Where is my mind? That he began his success as a success as a successful actor, in the 1970s. His ability to embody deep and emotionally complex characters allows him to distinguish himself and to impose himself in a cinema in full transformation, where the new voices and daring stories took the plunge.
Prestigious filmography
During more than fifty years of career, Mostafa Fahmy played in an impressive number of films that marked the memories, becoming a real legend in the Egyptian cultural landscape. Among his most emblematic works, we can cite Wajh li wajh/face to face (1976), Liman Tachrouqou al Chams/For those shining the sun (1976), Hob fi ghorfat al inch/love in intensive care room (1985), MAWAD MA EL QADAR/Meeting with fate (1987), Qamar al Zaman (1976), Qasr wire hawa/a castle in the clouds (1978) and finally Ahla El Kahf/The people of the cave (2024).
In each of these roles, Mostafa Fahmy is illustrated by his ability to touch universal themes, be it love, redemption, justice or fatality. His nuanced and sincere performances in films such as Kollohom Fil Nar/All go to hell (1978), Bint Ghayr Kol Il Banat/a girl like the others (1978), or Al Nadam/Regret (1978), not only earned him the esteem of his peers, but also the admiration of criticism and the public.
The actor thus contributed to the rise of Egyptian cinema, placing himself alongside the big names of the time, and adding to each project a personal touch which distinguishes him. With more than fifty films to his credit, his work is as much a heritage as a celebration of Egyptian cinema, resonating in the collective memory far beyond the borders of the country.
A striking presence in Egyptian homes thanks to television
If his film career is impressive, Mostafa Fahmy has also won the small screen in Egypt. Versatile actor, he embodied characters with varied destinies, captivating the public with emotional interpretations in series such as Al Réjoulou Alladhi Ohibouhou/The man I loved (1979), Al Rihla 83/Le Voyage 83 (1983), Bint Sayadat al Wazir/The daughter of Mr. Minister (1992), Rijel Fil Assifa/Men in the storm (1994), Ahlem El Banat/The Dreams of Girls (2004), Ma’moun wa shorakah/mamoun and associates (2016)…
His television roles allow him to address the Egyptian public directly, tackling strong social themes and existential questions that resonate in daily life. In series such as Bardis (1985), Al Hob wa Achy Okhra/Love and other things (1986), Al Dhabet Wal Mojrem/The officer and the criminal (1987), and Hayet Al Johary (1997), Mostafa Fahmy highlights the complexity of the human condition, exploring psychological, social and moral aspects with remarkable depth.
An imperishable inheritance
Mostafa Fahmy devoted his life to art and the expression of Egyptian culture, both in the cinema and on television. Its influence extends beyond its time and continues to inspire the new generations of actors and directors. His ability to reinvent himself, to touch the hearts of his spectators and to embody a diversity of roles makes him an emblematic figure, a reference in the world of Arab entertainment.
His disappearance leaves an immense void in the film industry, but her work remains intact, ready to be rediscovered by each new generation of moviegoers. The Cairo International Film Festival sends its sincere condolences to his family, his fans, and to all those who appreciated and admired the exceptional man and actor he was.
Mostafa Fahmy is now based in collective memory, where her heritage will shine forever.
