1985 film by Ali Abdel Khaleq
"E’daa’m Mayet" () is a 1985 Egyptian drama and thriller film directed by Ali Abdel Khaleq and written by Ibrahim Masoud. It stars Mahmoud Abdel Aziz, Farid Shawqi, Yehia El-Fakharany, Poussi, and Laila Elwi. This movie is widely regarded as one of the classics of Egyptian cinema and is remembered for its compelling narrative and undertones.
The story of "E’daa’m Mayet" draws inspiration from real-life cases during the tense political period between Egypt and Israel in the 1970s. The film’s portrayal of the Dimona nuclear reactor highlights the era's intelligence wars and the risks undertaken by operatives on both sides.
Plot.
In 1972, Mansour, an assistant to Tubji and a collaborator with Israeli intelligence, is arrested and sentenced to death. The Egyptian Intelligence Service discovers the striking resemblance between Mansour and Egyptian intelligence officer Ezz El-Din. They devise a plan for Ezz to assume Mansour’s identity and undertake a mission to uncover secrets about the Israeli nuclear reactor, Dimona.
Mansour trains Ezz extensively on his behavior, personality, and lifestyle, except for his personal relationship with a woman named Poussi. Ezz then travels to Israel under the guise of Mansour. Poussi begins to suspect his true identity and attempts to expose him to Abu Juda, a representative of Mossad, claiming he is not the real Mansour. However, her efforts fail, and Abu Juda kills her.
As Ezz successfully completes his mission, Mansour’s father discovers Ezz’s true identity and informs Abu Juda. This revelation leads to a critical turning point. Mansour's father requests that the Israeli intelligence return his son. Subsequently, an agreement is made between the Egyptian and Israeli intelligence agencies: three Israeli pilots and Mansour will be exchanged for Ezz.
At the prisoner exchange site, Sheikh Massa'd Tubji (Mansour’s father) takes justice into his own hands by killing his son to cleanse the shame of betraying the homeland.
Production.
The film was directed by Ali Abdel Khaleq, a prominent figure in Egyptian cinema known for his realistic storytelling and socially conscious narratives. The screenplay, written by Ibrahim Masoud, combines suspense and drama. During a seminar honoring the names of late stars, held as part of the activities of the 65th Catholic Film Festival in March 2017, director Ali Abdel Khaleq mentioned that Mahmoud Abdel Aziz "cried intensely" after completing the execution scene in the film. He stated that Abdel Aziz "fully embodied the character and lived the moment in all its details." The musical score by Omar Khairat complements the film’s mood.
Reception.
"E’daa’m Mayet" was both a critical and commercial success. It remains one of the iconic films in Egyptian cinema, frequently cited as a prime example of the country’s golden era of filmmaking. However, Hassan Al-Haddad criticized the film in an article in "Akhbar Al Khaleej" newspaper, describing it as "disappointing" and "weak on multiple levels, particularly due to its weak and disjointed dramatic structure." He also criticized what he called the lack of credibility and logic in the events. However, he acknowledged that the film was "well-crafted in terms of direction and technique." He praised Hussein Afifi's editing, Ali Abdel Khaleq's direction, and Said Shimi's cinematography.
After Mahmoud Abdel Aziz's passing, he became the first actor to be mourned by the Egyptian General Intelligence Service. According to Major General Mohsen Al-Noamani, a former deputy of the agency, Abdel Aziz’s portrayal of an intelligence officer in the film "Execution of a Dead Man"—which, in his words, "highlighted the heroism and sacrifices of the agency's members"—was the reason the Egyptian Intelligence chose to honor him after his death.