Nabil Maleh facts for kids

Nabil Maleh (born September 28, 1936 – died February 24, 2016) was a famous Syrian filmmaker. He was a director, writer, producer, painter, and poet. Many people consider him the "father of Syrian cinema" because of his important work.

Nabil Maleh wrote over 1,000 articles, short stories, essays, and poems. He directed and wrote 120 short films, experimental films, and documentaries. He also made 12 full-length movies, including The Extras and The Leopard. He won more than 60 awards at film festivals around the world. Some of his films are even studied in international film schools. He also taught filmmaking at universities like the University of Texas at Austin and the University of California in Los Angeles.

Early Life and Learning

Nabil Maleh grew up in Damascus, Syria, in a well-off family. When he was just 14, he started writing articles about politics for local newspapers. At 16, he went to the Czech Republic to study nuclear physics.

However, he quickly discovered his love for movies. This happened when he was asked to be an extra in a film. So, he decided to study film at the Prague Film School (FAMU). Famous directors like Miloš Forman also studied there. While at school, Nabil worked at an Arabic radio station in the Czech Republic. His time in Prague was full of new ideas and culture. He felt that the film school helped filmmakers develop a strong cultural understanding.

He finished film school and returned to Syria in 1964. But he soon traveled abroad again to continue his work.

A Director's Journey

After graduating in 1964, Nabil Maleh was seen as the first Syrian to graduate from a European film school. He was invited to join the new National Film Organization in Syria. They wanted him to direct one of their first feature films.

Maleh wrote a script based on a novel called The Leopard. But just a week before filming, the government stopped the movie. It was finally released in 1971, and Maleh became very popular. The Leopard was a huge success and helped introduce Syrian cinema to the world.

Maleh made many films about conflicts, including those in Palestine and Vietnam. His film Labor was banned in Syria because it showed a government figure in a bad way. In 1979, he released his second film, Fragments. Even though it was successful, his relationship with the Syrian government became difficult.

He then moved to the United States. There, he taught film at the University of Texas at Austin and the University of California, Los Angeles. He spent the next 10 years in Europe, mostly in Greece, where he kept writing. In 1992, Syria's National Film Organization invited him back to direct his next major film, The Extras, in Damascus.

Nabil Maleh also started his own production company called Ebla. He named it after an ancient Syrian civilization. Through Ebla, he produced documentaries for international audiences. One example is A Bedouin Day, which was narrated in English.

He continued to write screenplays. One was a thriller about an Iraqi official hiding in Lebanon. This film, Hunt Feast, was made in 2005 with British and Syrian help. However, it faced legal problems. In 2006, the Dubai International Film Festival honored Nabil Maleh. He was recognized for his great contributions to cinema, alongside famous directors like Oliver Stone.

Notable Films

Nabil Maleh is known as the founder of Syrian filmmaking. He was not only a director but also a scriptwriter and producer. His movies were admired globally.

His first film, Family Problem (1964), was 35 minutes long and premiered in Prague. After that, Syrian TV sponsored three more of his works: A Surprise, Dreams, and Two Man and Woman. Each of these films lasted 70 minutes.

Through his films, Nabil Maleh often addressed important issues of his time. For example, Napalm (1970) showed his feelings about the unfairness in Vietnam and Palestine. He always tried to connect with current problems. The short documentary Rocks (1970) showed the tough lives of quarry workers. One of his most powerful films was Men Under the Sun (1970). In this movie, Nabil Maleh showed the struggles of the Palestinian people.

The 1970s were his most active period. During this time, Nabil Maleh became well-known around the world. The Leopard (1972) brought him great fame. For this film, he won a special prize at the Locarno International Film Festival. In The Leopard, he explored the conflicts between old feudal systems and new ideas in Syria.

In 1981, Nabil Maleh left Syria. Ten years later, he made one of his most popular films: The Extra (1993). This film explored common issues in relationships between men and women in Syria. It showed how society could judge a young man and a widow who wanted to be together.

Thought-Provoking Documentaries

Besides his feature films, Nabil Maleh also made many documentaries. These films explored different issues in Gulf countries.

A Bedouin Day (1981) is a great example of how Maleh understood the world around him. It showed how quickly he reacted to different events. This documentary was a response to how Western media often showed Arab people. It highlighted the difficult lives of Bedouins.

The Holy Crystal (2008) is a 26-minute documentary. It describes Syrian society, which includes both Muslim and Christian people. The film shows how these different communities influence Syria's economy and culture. The topic of relationships between Muslims and Christians in Syria was very important to Nabil Maleh.

In the same year, 2008, he also made Damascene Bouquet, which was 13 minutes long. This short documentary had a deep meaning. It described a rare event in 2006: Christmas happened at the same time as the Muslim holiday Eid. These are major celebrations for both religions. Nabil Maleh showed how the two communities worked together to celebrate. While some in the West tried to show Arab communities in a negative way, Nabil Maleh tried to reveal the truth about religious harmony.