Culture, literature and the arts in modern Egypt

Egypt has witnessed many different cultural and artistic innovations. Chief among these are in the cinema and theatre industries, which have blossomed in Egypt since the 1970s.

The Egyptian actor, director and writer Mohammed Karim was the first star of Egyptian cinema. Mohammed Baioumy is another celebrated cinematic personality in Egypt whose film studio in Alexandria was established in 1923 in order to manage the production of his own films. On 14 March 1932 the first Egyptian film was launched: Awlad el-zawat (Sons of Aristocrats) directed by Mohammed Karim.