As World Photography Day wraps, we present a collection of cinematic masterpieces that revolve around the theme of photography. These movies pay homage to the art form of freezing moments in time and give insights into the lives of those behind the lens.

Youm Men 3omry (1961)

A sincere expression of a photographer’s dilemma where the hero must choose between his conscience of truth and his desperate need for money and fame. Our hero struggles with whether to hand over pictures he took of an innocent girl to his editor-in-chief for the monetary reward he desperately needs at the expense of the girl’s reputation.         

Darbet Shams (1980)

A Nour El Sherif-led and produced film that introduced us to the back-then debuting director Mohamed Khan and gave us one of Sherif’s most highly acclaimed roles. The latter portrayed the role of a photographer whose eyes were caught by a burning piece of paper that he took artistic shots of only to discover it holds valuable information about a drug cartel.

Edhak El Soura Tetla3 Helwa (1998)

Starring the late Ahmed Zaki and directed by Mohamed Khan, this movie tells the story of a Tanta local who photographs citizens in the streets, especially couples by the Nile. His world turns upside down when his only daughter, played by Mona Zaki, moves to Cairo upon her acceptance into the Faculty of Medicine at Cairo University. He then must turn his hobby into a profession to provide for her living expenses and guarantee her a stable future.

Men Nazret Ein (2003)

Men Nazret Ein follows a wedding photographer, Amr Waked, as he embarks on his journey to find his soulmate. At first sight, he falls in love with Mona Zaki’s character in the unlikeliest of places: her wedding.

Basra (2010)

An award-winning indie film starring Bassem Samra that saw the light after a three-year delay due to production issues. Basra participated in several festivals and won the Best Photography Award from Valencia Mediterranean Festival and the Best Screenplay Award at Cairo International Film Festival. It narrates the story of the imminent US-UK strike against Iraq. Our lead, an Egyptian photographer in his thirties, searches for answers to existential questions about life, death, sex, and logic amidst an oppressive ambience.

Mosawer Qateel (2012)

The highly talented Amr Salama wrote this underrated gem that follows a news photographer who’s on the hunt for his wife’s killer. During his search, he stumbles upon a vintage camera that not only takes shots of the present but forecasts the future and reveals untold secrets of the past.