Dig days:
Nour El-Sherif
Nour El-Sherif lives the roles he plays, and does not talk about a film until it is finished. There is always a message in his films. One of the greatest pieces that he directed is the Struggle of Thebes by Naguib Mahfouz, about the conflict between the Ancient Egyptians and the Hyksos. It is a stunning musical with unforgettable scenes. His wife Poussi played the part of a princess of the Hyksos who falls in love with Amose, and when Nour, as a priest, recited Akhenaten's hymn to the sun, he did it with passion.
Because of his interest in Egyptology, we named him "Head Friend of the Egyptian Museum". He has wonderful ideas about protecting our monuments and for increasing interest in the Egyptian Museum. He told me he would like to do more films on Pharaonic themes because he sees Egyptian history as a rich source of material. One day he hopes to direct The Judgment of a Priest on the stage of the Sound and Light show at the pyramids. That play tells the story of the priests of Amun judging a priest loyal to Akhenaten.
I have always admired Nour's superb acting ability and have seen most of his films. Some of my favourites are Al-Aar, The Brothers Karamazov, Streets of Fire, and The Circle of Revenge.
We met in 1968 when we both graduated from the University of Alexandria -- Nour from the Institute of Acting in the Academy of Arts, and I from the Department of the Graeco-Roman Archaeology in the Faculty of Arts. Afterwards, we both attended a three-month training course at the Press Syndicate in Cairo, and Nour was famous even then. He was acting in a television series called Cairo and the People and had also just finished the Mahfouz film, Palace of Desire.
After university, Nour El- Sherif continued with his career, eventually becoming Egypt's most famous actor, while I pursued mine as an archaeologist. We met again 30 years later, when he, his beautiful wife Poussi and I were part of an Egyptian delegation at a week- long cultural festival in Syria. I did not mention our previous meeting, but from the start we became friends. His film, The Two Lovers, an enormously romantic piece in which he not only starred, but also directed, was well received by the Syrians.
Back in Cairo our friendship continued. We would meet either at his house or at the house of our friend, Owli Farid. We would sit and discuss politics, culture, films, and other subjects of mutual interest. I found Nour to be intellectual and modest, indeed an exceptional man, and his wife Poussi a delightful and intelligent lady. She too is interested in Egyptology.
When we did the television special at Giza, in which we sent a robot into the shaft of the Great Pyramid, Poussi came to see the live broadcast screened at the Mena House Hotel. To my delight, she was so fascinated that she stayed until 7am. Both she and Nour told me that they dreamt of going to Abu Simbel to watch the sun's rays strike the inside of the temple on 21 February, but could not go that February. They are planning to do so in October, and I have promised to accompany them.
I recall an occasion when I went with Nour to visit the home of Fathi Surour to pay our respects. The nephews of the speaker of the People's Assembly rushed to him to obtain his autograph and the great actor kissed the cheek of one, a seven- year-old girl, who subsequently promised her grandmother that she would never wash her face again.
The visit was particularly interesting because Safwat El- Sherif, minister of information, was there and we discussed the recent and extremely popular television series, Al-Attar and his Seven Daughters. Sherif said he had insisted on it being screened during Ramadan because people demanded high- quality entertainment during that particular month. Nour played the part of Hag Metwalli, the main character, who had four wives; he treated them equally, but was never able to give justice to all. This captivating series made every Muslim wonder if such a thing would ever be possible for any ordinary man, and I venture to say that no matter what, Nour will be forever remembered for his memorable portrayal of Hag Metwalli, even when his inspiration from Pharaonic themes takes him to new heights of success.
Al-Ahram Weekly Online : 26 June - 2 July 2003 (Issue No. 644)
Located at: http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2003/644/he2.htm