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Celebrating the life of Rushdy Abaza, a Legend of Egypt’s Golden Age of Cinema

August 4, 2024
Photo Credit: Akhbar Al-Youm.

Every year since the end of World War II, a fresh talent has captivated Egyptian cinema audiences, contributing to the nation’s rich film heritage. Among these luminaries—Emad Hamdy in Dayman Fe Alby (Always in My Heart, 1946), Farid Shawqi in Malak El Rahma (Angel of Mercy, 1946), Kamal El-Shennawi in Ghani Harb (War Profiteer, 1947), and Shoukry Sarhan in Nadia (1949)—Rushdy Abaza emerged as the leading man in El-Millionira El Saghyera (The Small Millionaire, 1948) directed by Kamal Barakat. Though not particularly distinguished, this film marked the beginning of Abaza’s remarkable journey in Egyptian cinema. Born on 3 August 1927, to an Italian mother, Tereza Luigi, and an Egyptian father who was a police officer, he graduated from St. Marc College in Alexandria but did not finish his university education. A significant milestone in his life came in 1948 when director Barakat noticed Abaza playing billiards at the Riviera Casino on Emad El-Din Street. Impressed by the 22-year-old, Barakat cast Abaza in the lead role of El-Millionira El-Soghira. In the film, Abaza portrays a pilot who falls in love with a girl of Turkish origin, navigating the challenges that stand…


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