AlainBio
October 15th 2007 11:17
Bio: Know more about the international cinema leaders
Mohamed Bayoumi-Pioneer of the Egyptian cinema (3/01/1893-15/06/1963)
The tremendous effort that was done by Mohamed Bayoumi, to initiate the first steps of making the film industry, is unforgettable in the history of the Egyptian cinema.
Bayoumi quit his job as a military officer and fled to Austria to study film studies in 1919 theoritically and practically by visiting the studios. In 1923, he had his diploma and returned to Egypt, with the equipments for building a studio. He built the first studio in Egypt, known as Bayoumi studio located in Shobra in Cairo (the capital of Egypt). The studio was well equipped with cinematic instruments and machines. At that time, Egypt's theatre had an impressive reputation and popularity more than the cinema.
His first film to direct encouraged him to invest his money in film production. In 1924, 'Amon film company' was established. He chose the name after a famous Pharonic king. The company's first film is 'Barsoum is looking for a job' a comedy that ended tragically by the death of Bayoumi's 10 year old son, who was playing one of the leading roles. The film was released in 1925 but Bayoumi's sadness and grief, led him to shut down the studio and sold all the equipments. After a while, he got hired in the 'Egypt company for cinema and acting', as a lab and photography manager; the same company which bought his equipments.
Bayoumi was also known for his initiation of documentary films. He convinced Talaat Harb, a great Egyptian economist to make the first documentary on him and his economic achievements. Obviously, that was not enough for him, Bayoumi broke all the chains of his job at the company and felt the nostalgia to be his own boss. He left Cairo and returned to Alexandria (his homeland) to start a cinematic newsletter under the same name of his former company 'Amon'. The newsletter enhanced the relationship between cinema and politics. He covered issues like the opening of the parliament and the return of Saad Zaghloul from an exile-an Egyptian patriot. He was able to send cinema news to the rest of the world.
In 1930, the first cinema institute was opened by the hands of Bayoumi. Three years later, the institute released a film 'fiance number 13' was done by the students of all specializations-film making, script writing, make up, production...etc. Bayoumi's nine year old daughter was one of the acting cast. Disastrously, Bayoumi's legend ended mysteriously; however, he opened the door to all the film makers till this day.
Mohamed Bayoumi-Pioneer of the Egyptian cinema (3/01/1893-15/06/1963)
The tremendous effort that was done by Mohamed Bayoumi, to initiate the first steps of making the film industry, is unforgettable in the history of the Egyptian cinema.
Bayoumi quit his job as a military officer and fled to Austria to study film studies in 1919 theoritically and practically by visiting the studios. In 1923, he had his diploma and returned to Egypt, with the equipments for building a studio. He built the first studio in Egypt, known as Bayoumi studio located in Shobra in Cairo (the capital of Egypt). The studio was well equipped with cinematic instruments and machines. At that time, Egypt's theatre had an impressive reputation and popularity more than the cinema.
Bayoumi was also known for his initiation of documentary films. He convinced Talaat Harb, a great Egyptian economist to make the first documentary on him and his economic achievements. Obviously, that was not enough for him, Bayoumi broke all the chains of his job at the company and felt the nostalgia to be his own boss. He left Cairo and returned to Alexandria (his homeland) to start a cinematic newsletter under the same name of his former company 'Amon'. The newsletter enhanced the relationship between cinema and politics. He covered issues like the opening of the parliament and the return of Saad Zaghloul from an exile-an Egyptian patriot. He was able to send cinema news to the rest of the world.
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