Ahmed Malek joins cast of ‘Al Deif’

CAIRO – 19 December 2017: Iproductions has selected the Egyptian star Ahmed Malek to join the cast of “Al Deif” (The Guest).

“Al Deif” revolves around a family who invited a young man to dinner, and then suddenly something unexpected happens. Beside Malek the movie stars Khaled el Sawy, Shereen Reda, Jamila Awad and others.

“Al Deif’’ is written by the renowned Egyptian journalist and TV personality Ibrahim Eissa and directed by Hadi el Bagoury. Malek was chosen at the 14th edition of the Dubai International Film Festival to participate in the second edition of “Arab Stars of Tomorrow.”

Malek was born in September 1995 in Cairo, his first audition came at the age of eight when his uncle took him to act in a commercial.

In 2005, Malek had his first role in the TV series “Ayamna el Helwa” (Our Good Days). A few years later, executive director Osama Farid asked Malek to perform the role of Hassan al-Banaa, the young founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, in the TV series "The Brotherhood;” this was the 15-year-old‘s first breakthrough role.

After the January 25 Revolution, he took a hiatus from acting, deciding to focus on political and revolutionary activities. When director Gamal Abdel Hameed offered him the role of a young Egyptian revolutionary activist in the series “The Backstreets” starring famous actors Gamal Soliman, Leila Elwi, Samy El-Adl and Gihan Fadel, Malek could not resist.

He paid attention to what his fans wanted and his talent was finally recognized in 2012 after achieving critical success in the TV series “Ma’aa Sabek El Esrar” (With Premeditation).

In 2013, he played the role of a womanising troubled teen in the series “Hekayt Haya” (Haya’s Tale), for which he won the Dear Guest Award for Best Young Actor.

After seeing Malek’s impressive performance, director Sherif Arafa asked him to audition for a pivotal role in the second instalment of his film, “El Gezira.”

Malek’s latest movie, “Sheikh Jackson” was chosen as the opening film at the first edition of El Gouna Film Festival, which took place from September 22 to 29. The film also screened at the 61st London Film Festival, in October. Egypt selected Amr Salama’s, “Sheikh Jackson” as its candidate for the upcoming Oscars, set to take place in February 2018.

“Sheikh Jackson” stars Ahmed al-Fishawy and revolves around the death of the “King of Pop,” Michael Jackson. The plot focuses on an aspiring Imam who loves Jackson’s music and imitates the pop star’s performances. His strong relationship with Salafism reflects the contradictions in his life.

Malek was chosen as a jurist by the Shnit International Short Film Festival (SISFF) in November 2017, alongside famous scriptwriter Tamer Habib and Egyptian director Mariam Abu Ouf.

Recently, he participated in the Helm Foundation’s campaign to make Cairo University accessible to people with disabilities, launched on social media the campaign star Egyptian actress Menna Shalaby and Malek.

The campaign's video features Shalaby as a visually impaired woman and Malek in a wheelchair. Both have challenges getting around Cairo due to the lack of accessibility for people with disabilities.