Popular movie and stage actor and United Nations Goodwill Ambassador receives tribute for regional contribution to the arts on Sun 19 Oct
Abu Dhabi, 10 October 2008: One of the most prominent actors in the Arab world and Egypt's most famous - and arguably most-loved actor - Adel Imam will be presented with the Variety Achievement in Film Award during the Middle East International Film Festival (MEIFF) 2008, being held in Abu Dhabi from 10 - 19 October and organized by the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH).
Presented in conjunction by MEIFF and the USA's Variety magazine, the premier global source of entertainment and film news, Imam will receive his award at the Emirates Palace on Sunday 19th October at the closing night award ceremony.
Born in Cairo in 1940, Adel Imam has played leading roles in over 100 films, 10 plays and several television series spanning five decades and has received critical and popular praise throughout his career. Primarily a renowned comedian, he has also starred in more serious works and, especially in his earlier films, combined comedy with romance.
"Adel Imam is both an icon and a film legend in the Middle East, and it is more than fitting that he receive MEIFF 2008's Variety Achievement in Film Award," said Mohamed Khalaf Al Mazarouei, Vice Chairman of MEIFF and Director General of ADACH.
"Throughout his career he has possessed the unique ability to touch the hearts of his audience, unafraid to tackle life's difficulties and address society's flaws such as injustice and poverty with his distinctive blend of pathos and humour." Said Nashwa Al Ruwaini, Director of MEIFF.
"Adel Imam has never refrained from projecting his personal beliefs onto the screen, with dignity and bravery, and has always defended human dignity, promoted tolerance, democracy and human rights. For this he deserves the highest accolades for his contribution to both the arts and society in the region." She added.
Recognised internationally for his outspoken support against poverty and commitment to making the planet a better place for all, the United Nations nominated him as a Good Will Ambassador (GWA) for the Middle East and North Africa in 2000.
Imam travels frequently on a personal and professional basis to countries all over the region, where he seizes the opportunity at all times to raise awareness on refugees and to brief regional media on United Nations activities.
Short, slight, with a distinctive feature and outstanding persona, Adel Imam became a star whose career has flourished since the late sixties - Adel Imam portrays characters from all social strata and backgrounds.
Debuting in 1964's Ana wa hua wa hia by Director Fatin Abdel Wahab, his roles have displayed a wide range of humor including slapstick, farce, and even the occasional double entendre. His characters tend to be down on their luck rising above powerful outside pressures, proving an extremely resilient type in Egypt.
In 2006, he appeared as one of the many stars of The Yacoubian Building, a film reputed to be the highest-budgeted in Egyptian cinema and adapted from the novel of the same name. The story is a sharp look contemporary Egyptian life through the prism of a faded downtown Cairo apartment building. Emam portrays an aging roué whose misadventures form a central strand of the film's complex narrative.
Imam starred his latest film "Hasan .W. Murkus" with the famous Omar Sharif. This film was launched recently and emerged big debates amongst critics and audience.
Adel Imam has been quoted as saying, ""I am not a superstar, or a leader of any kind. There are no leaders in art. All I want is to use my talents to make people's lives better, if only in a small way."
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