Before taking up directing in the early fifties of the last century, Kamal Shaikh, a pioneering figure in the film industry in Egypt and the Arab world at large, had started his journey as an editor  of numerous successful cinematic experiences. His creative journey resulted in presenting 34 works, varying in topics and dramatic genres as they included detective/thrillers with a psychological dimension, political drama and the cinema of literature. His third directed film, titled “Haya Aw Mawt”, was the first Egyptian work entirely filmed in the streets of Cairo in 1955. 
 
His title as “the Egyptian Cinema’s Hitchcock” was debatable, as many critics believed his works exceeded the boundaries of detective thrillers, presenting a unique cinematic vision and documentation of the reality of Egyptian life.
 

al liss wa al-kilan (1962)
August 25, 2014 /8:00 PM 
Senario: Sabri Izzat & Kamal Shaikh
Script: Sabri Izzat
Starring: Shukhri Sarhan & Shadia
 
Inspired by the renowned author Naguib Mahfouth’s novel that has the same title, the film presents the testimony of Saeed Mahran on the cruelty of the rule of law through his journey of revenge, which began after leaving prison. The film participated in the official competition of the Thirteenth Berlin International Film Festival. Egypt also officially nominated the film for the Oscars for the best foreign language film.
 
Filmed ten years after the revolution of July 23, which abolished monarchy and adopted socialism, the film sheds the light on a critical period in the life of Egyptian people.

al-lailah al-akheera 
September 1, 2014 / 8:00 PM
 
Scenario and script: yusuf sbaai 
Starring: Faten Hamamah, Mahmoud Mursi 
 
One day, Nadia wakes up only to find herself surrounded by people whose roles were re-shuffled and she cannot recall anything from the last 15 years of her life. Due to this new reality, Nadia finds herself facing a psychological dilemma, as ambiguous and familiar signs begin to intersect. The film is inspired by the American author Margaret Lynn’s novel, titled “To see a stranger”.
 
The film, recognized for its important role in introducing the concept of thrilling narration to the Egyptian cinema, also participated in the official competition of Cannes International Festival in 1964.

 
ala man nutleg al-rasas
 
Sept 8, 2014/ 8:00 PM
Story, Scenario and Script: Rafat Al Meehi
Starring: Suad Husni, Mahmoud Yaseen
 
The killed and his killer are both in hospital, while their wives anxiously wait for the doctor to come out to embark on their journey, attempting to solve the mysteries of this crime and question the criteria underpinning modern justice.
 
Against the backdrop of a growing capitalist system, the film looks at the collapse of socialist ideas and the dreams of social justice in light of this new reality.
 
Egypt officially nominated the film for the Oscars for the best foreign language film.
                            
 The Arab Cinema Archive Project is an independent, non-profit initiative that aims at disseminating Arab cinematic heritage and making it accessible to the public for research purposes as well as non-commercial screenings. To this end, the initiative focuses on compiling and archiving films from all accessible sources as well as digitalizing them. As part of the archiving process, films will be classified at a later stage according to themes, main characters and crew allowing researchers and interested individuals to benefit from this archive to the fullest.

The Arab Cinema Archive Project is initiated by Ahmad Ameen.