Known for taking on the roles of great historical figures, Egyptian actor Ahmad Zaki has been nominated for the leading role in a new film that tells the life of the late Sheikh Sayed Darwish, who is one of the pioneers of Arabic music and leaders of the modern Egyptian renaissance at the turn of the century.
According to the Qatar based daily, Al Raya, screenwriter Mahfouz Abdul Rahman, who wrote the script for the film about the late singer Abdul Halim Hafez, will be writing the script for the film.
Darwish was an innovator of Arabic music and songs. He had always been aware that genuine art should be derived from real life. He clearly expressed the feelings and aspirations of the people and events of his time in his songs and music. He composed musical plays for the stage in which inspiring music and popular themes were combined. In addition to 26 musicals for the stage; the most renowned of which are "Sheherezade", "Al Barouka" and "Al Ashara AI Tayeba". He also composed about 260 songs.
In 1957 a stamp commemorating him was issued, and a street in Cairo bears his name. The Alexandria municipality erected two statues of Sayed Darwish and named the greatest stage and street after him.
Ahmad Zaki's was to star in the film "Al Andalib" that tackles the life of the late Egyptian icon Abdul Halim Hafez, but negotiations with the heirs of the singer did not come to an agreement with the producers and talks came to a dead-end. Another reason was due to a delay in production at which stage Ahmad decided he did not wish to proceed.
Mamdouh Al Laithy, president of the Production Company, said that the reason behind the film not being implemented is not only due to delay, but to a number of reasons one of which is the fact that the scenario has not been complete as of today. In addition to Abdul Halim's heirs wanting a large sum of money from any company that intends on producing the film. In addition Ahmad had refused to take part in the production unless he was paid a certain amount for his wages, a price being extremely high, and his refusal to act out a number of scenes that revolve around different instances of the late singer's life. –Albawaba.com
© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
