Faten Hamama, known as the “Lady of the Arabic Screen,” transformed the Egyptian film industry by portraying strong, self-determined women, challenging societal norms, and promoting progressive themes. Born in 1931 in Elmansoura, Egypt, she began acting at age 8 and later attended Cairo’s High Institute of Acting.

Early in her career, she starred in films like Kursi Al L’Etraf and Lak Yawm Ya Zalem, which was nominated for the Prix International at Cannes. As her fame grew, Hamama chose roles that tackled social issues, including honor killings, divorce, and pro-democratic ideals, such as in Imbaratoriyyat Meem. She continued to address complex themes in television and film with roles in Dameer Ablah Hikmat and Wajh al-Qamar.

Her contributions earned her numerous honors, including Egypt’s Decoration of the Republic in 1965, Lebanon’s Order of Merit in 1984, and multiple film festival awards, such as the Montpellier Mediterranean Film Festival in 1993 and the Dubai International Film Festival in 2009. She was named “Star of the Century” by the Egyptian Writers and Critics Organization in 2001 and received honorary doctorates from the American University in Cairo in 1999 and the American University of Beirut in 2013. Faten Hamama passed away on January 17, 2015, leaving a lasting legacy in Arab cinema.