Hasan El-Saifi


Hasan El-Saifi was an Egyptian film director, film producer, and screenplay writer. He worked on nearly 150 Egyptian films. He has various name spellings in English due to transliteration, most commonly Hassan el-Saifi, Hassan El-Seify, and Hassan al-Saifi.

Biography

Hasan El-Saifi was born on January 13, 1927, in Cairo, Kingdom of Egypt.
El-Saifi started his career in film in 1946, by working as an assistant director under Helmy Rafla, and Anwar Wagdi. By 1952, El-Saifi was able to establish his own film production company. His first directed film was named, Bear Witness, People. His most notable film he directed was Samara, starring Taheyya Kariokka and Mohsen Sarhan.
In the 1970s, he moved to Lebanon for a few years, where he directed several films.
He died on March 25, 2005, in Cairo, after suffering from a heart attack.

Personal life and family

In the 1950s he was married to Egyptian-born Greek actress and dancer, which ended in divorce. He later married Egyptian actress Zahret El-Ola, a second marriage for both of them. Together with Zahret El-Ola they had two children, their daughter Manal El-Saifi is a film director. Both of his wives starred in his films.

Filmography

Bear Witness, People, as directorLady Pickpocket, as directorInjustice Is Forbidden, as director, and screenplay writer