Every current status holds an astonishing history that led to its emergence. For instance, the superiority of the US economy, China’s rapid economic growth, and the French prowess in delicacies reveal unique achievements. Different countries pose successes in varying sectors of development. The difference defines either success or failure depending on the previous status of the nation. The Cinema industry is rapidly growing in the world. Currently, at least, each country in the world has a movie or short film (Shafik 13). It contributes to the GDP of a country that invests in it. In some instances, the industry is a determinant of the economic variance in some regions. Moreover, the industry also provides employment to the people and develops their talent. A majority of administrations aim to enrich their population’s gifts to ensure they tap maximum benefit from their citizens. Moreover, a government that focuses on the development of its people is likely to spur a stable and rapid growth. Also, the industry s educative and play a role in the culture building and preservation (Mast and Kawin 61). Furthermore, it serves as a reminder of the history of the people. The industry engages in the production of films that discuss issues both from the local and the global arena. Its success relies on several factors. However, proper management and a talent are vital to its development. Nevertheless, it is important to state that other countries have not reached their potential due to lack of the mentioned factors (Mast and Kawin 29). On the other hand, technology is also vital to the success of the industry. Therefore, the paper discusses the development of Cinema industry in Egypt as an Arab country.
Historical, political and social influence
When one discusses the Cinema of Egypt, they refer to the Arab-speaking film industry that has its headquarters in Cairo. The city is the nation’s capital and venue for various events in the cinema industry including the annual International Film Festival. Its feasibility to host such events emanates from its position, infrastructure and security. The film industry in the nation flourished due to several factors. For instance, Egypt is among one of the countries of the ancient civilization (Mast and Kawin 22). The presence of the Pyramids at Giza is an evidence of its unique history. Additionally, it also serves as a major reference point in the Bible; therefore, Christian movies are shot there to append relevance to their production. The dominance of the Egyptian industry also emanates from the country’s population of the Arab community. At least, 90000 people in the country are Arabs. Therefore, they provide a ready market for the Arab films. The country’s terrain also provides an ideal site for feature movies that floods the cinema industry. The country being an ancient developer boosts the industry. In 1896, the first Egyptian Arab film screened. During that time, most other countries were devoted to the struggle towards their independence. As a result, they had an advantage over other nations (Mast and Kawin 54). Their dominance in the Arab film is partly due to the amount of time they have spent in the industry. Time warrants experience that reduces the risk associated with its development thus providing more benefits.
External influences
After the Second World War, Egypt attained a milestone in the entertainment industry. Their sales in movies rose, and the country also became an ideal site for movie production. Immediately, after the world war, the film industry in both Europe and America were a slump. The war affected the film sector including distribution. The concerns were due to the poor security and continuous threat on life that looms during and after a war. Given the subtlety of Egypt, the country did not stop its production (Mast and Kawin 38). Therefore, they provided the international market with their products. During that time, the supplier that succeeded is one that guaranteed both quality and quantity in production. Peace in the country accorded time to engage in production. They supplied the world with movies during that era. Conversely, the funds and development achieved in that period triggered a rapid growth in the industry, making it significant in the Arab cinema.
An industry’s state is dependent on its foundation. A reliable foundation suggests a prosperous future for the investment or sector. The Egypt cinema was fortunate to share the experience of the first filmmakers in the world, the Lumière brothers (Shafik 21). During the development stage of the industry in the country, it was dominated by foreigners including French and Italian producers and actors. The experience and status of the nations helped in the building of the cinema industry in Egypt. Consequently, the efforts of foreigners in Egypt led to the success of the industry, however, later in the 19th century; locals gained access to the production and became the major consumer. Since production and film –making did not originate in Egypt; foreigners established a strong start-point for the Egyptian Cinema in the Arab world.
The different stages of development (by years)
`The cinema industry in Europe did not rise exponentially. However, it was subject to various stages and challenges that availed different sets of hurdles and achievements (Armbrust 47). Some of the phases of development were vital in attaining the current status in the industry. On the other hand, some of the stages also caused a decline in the growth curve of the industry. The Egyptian Cinema has four phases of establishment namely; the introduction, golden age, transition period and the present.
The introduction phase started in 1896 with the Lumière brothers and ended in 1938. The phase consists of an Egyptian Cinema industry dominated by foreigners (Armbrust 8). However, a majority of films produced in the era were silent. One of the successful productions in that period is Layla, in 1927. Despite Cairo being the capital of Egypt, most screening activities occurred in Alexandria. By 1936, the nation had a studio equated to Hollywood. Studio Misr became the first stable in the country and produced more than 50 films in less than three years. Nevertheless, the industry obtained its finance from and individual, Talaat Harb (Shafik 7). Since its development, the studio attained a leading role in the industry for at least three consecutive decades.
The Golden Age also referred to as the prime of the country’s development occurs between 1940 and 1970. During the period, the industry received more than one finding with investors from other parts of the world establishing an interest in the industry. The regime highlights other dominant studios apart from Misr (Armbrust 9). During the period, the venture becomes an income-generating, and famous movie stars made a fortune. Moreover, the attainment of economic benefit spurred talented individuals turning the industry into a competition. The competition was healthy because it led to the realization of great actors and talented script writers. Anis Ebeid originated in 1940. The company provided competition to Studio Misr. The company specialized in the production of subtitles. During that time, most of the international moves were in English. Therefore, the company’s subtitling efforts made foreign movies understandable to the Arab community and other people in Egypt. Consequently, American films penetrated the Egypt cinema. It also brought experience, technology, and resources that other producers in the country would emulate to improve the Egypt Cinema.
The transition period lasted for at least, 20 years. It began in late 1970’s and ended in early 1990’s. The regime posed the greatest danger to the industry. The country and the cinema perceived a decline both in quality and revenues. After the Golden Age, most people viewed the venture as the sole income generating. Subsequently, the number of movies increased with low quality becoming a synonymous feature in the movies. Inexperienced and untalented individuals joined the industry with their objective being to collect money. Due to limited expertise in the films, the quality of movies in the country declines (Shafik 53). As a result, studios were reluctant to accept movies or produce one due to the little compensation. Consequently, production of films that averaged at 100 in a year reduced to less than 20 in the same period.
The era begins with the end of the transition period. It also contains latest technological advancement. The regime provided an upgrade from the decline in the previous phase. Genre, quality, and revenues all increased in the present period (Armbrust 17). In 1997, the Egyptian film industry recorded US $ 50 million earnings, 400% more than that of the US in that year. Additionally, the industry also had more movies featuring in the box office. The period is also controversial, as producers were compelled to choose between art films that had little earning locally and higher earnings in the international market, or cultural movies that had a huge fan base in the country. Additionally, there were issues of immorality that challenged some movies such as ‘What a lie’ which were famous in the West.
Important themes genres that figure in the films, Why?
One of the major concepts in the industry is love. Love is a global theme with most countries both developed and developing discussing the issue. Its worldwide popularity is due to people reliance to literature on learning about love. Additionally, the stories also have a happy ending to leave the audience inspired. Moreover, love stories can accommodate other minor themes within the same movie. For instance, in a love story, themes of corruption and crime are easily integrated while maintaining the important theme. Also, love has a larger audience compared to the other concepts. Survey reveals that at least, 60 percent of the population prefers love stories at the end of the day. Love stories can begin as early as teenager level and proceed up to old age. There is no expiry date to love (Armbrust 20). Children can fall in love the same way as elderly persons. Therefore, their audience is extensive compared to other genres. Nevertheless, the stories about love are never exhausted, because everyone in life has their unique story to share about love. The other advantage of love themes is that it attracts an audience from both those in and not in love. The single people cling to love stories to keep their dream for love alive. On the other hand, couples also engage in watching such films to enhance their passion.
Evolution is the other notable theme in Egypt cinema. The country is subject to various leadership, economic, and social eras (Armbrust 15). Therefore, a majority of the films in the industry target the theme. It is common due to the large fan base associated with the concept. At least, one out of three people experiences a change in their social, political, or economic life. As a result, such people are eager to watch such movies. Additionally, evolution also serves as a historical aspect. They are used to communicate how the changes occurred throughout time. The genre provides hope to the oppressed and unfortunate in the society. They subscribe to the school of thought that, ‘if it changed once, it would change again.’
Major Directors, actresses, and actors.
Success is not built in one day. However, a series of events and challenges shape the final result of a project. The Egyptian film industry just like other industries has prolific contributors that led to the change in status. One of the vital contributions was the Lumière brothers. As initially stated, they were the founders of filming. Therefore, their influence on the Egypt was timely and helped the country (Shafik 44). Their association with Egypt enables the country to associate with other authority countries in the sector, for instance, America, France, and Italy. Their contribution positioned the nation as one of the founders of the Film industry in the global forum. Talaat Harb is also a major contributor to the stability of the industry. His funding for the development of the first prominent film studio in the country is vital. His funding to the studio enhanced the country’s film industry to a level comparable to Hollywood. Additionally, he opened the doors to the sector it the perception that the industry was a lost venture lost a base. Other investors followed suit and the cinema industry rose (Shafik 90).
Actors Fouad and Henedy were instrumental in establishing success during a difficult. They were among the few stakeholders in the film industry that made profits during the transition period. The era experienced the largest portion of loss in history. However, the two actors though their movie Ismailia back and forth, they were able to rejuvenate the industry. After the film, the transition period ended with other successes in the cinema industry (Armbrust 9). Despite one of the actors being new to the industry, the movie obtained intercontinental recognition with more than a million US $ in earnings.
Mohamed Saad through the comedy, ‘What A Lie’ received worldwide approval. It became famous in the US more than in Egypt. The short film involved contemporary issues in the teenage social life and evolution (Shafik 18). On the other hand, the movie received harsh criticism from the local environment. They claimed that the film promoted immoral behavior and promoted moral decay.
In conclusion, the Egypt cinema is the most extensive and diverse in the Arab filming industry. However, their development was to challenges like the transition period, but they tacked the issue promptly. The Industry has a diverse background on actors and actresses, investors, and themes. The industry is on the path to becoming the world leading industry through handling of the undermining factors.
Works Cited
Armbrust, Walter. "Political Film in Egypt: Film in the Middle East and North Africa: Creative Dissidence, University of Texas Press and American University in Cairo Press, (2011). Print.
Mast, Gerald and Kawin, Bruce. A Short History of the Movies, New York: Pearson Longman, (2012). Print.
Shafik, Viola. Popular Egyptian Cinema: Gender, Class, and Nation, American University in Cairo Press, (2007). Print.
