Projector Dreams: How Egyptian Cinema Began (1896–1936)
In this first installment of our Egyptian cinema series on The African Cinema Podcast, we trace the roots of filmmaking in Egypt—starting with the arrival of the Lumière Brothers’ projector in Alexandria in 1896. This episode dives into the rise of Egypt’s first studios, the political ferment of the 1919 revolution, and the emergence of Egyptian filmmakers who shaped cinema as a cultural and national force.
Following our exploration of Nigerian cinema, this new arc expands the lens to Egypt—a country whose early cinematic journey defined film across the Arab world.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
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How and when cinema first arrived in Egypt
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Why Alexandria became the launchpad for moving pictures in the region
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The story of Aziz & Dorés: the Middle East’s first film studio
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Mohamed Bayoumi’s revolutionary role in shaping Egyptian cinema
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How nationalist politics and colonial resistance shaped early storytelling
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The significance of Barsoum Looking for a Job (1923)
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The rise of Aziza Amir and the making of Layla, Egypt’s first narrative feature
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The role of Talaat Harb and the founding of Misr Acting and Cinema
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How early Egyptian cinema reflected and helped shape cultural identity
This is part of our ongoing deep-dive into African cinematic histories—following our Nigerian cinema series. Here, we begin the Egyptian arc, setting the stage for the Golden Age to come.
We’ll explore the rise of Studio Misr and the 1940s–1960s golden era of Egyptian cinema, where film became not just national but continental in its influence.
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