Shokry Sarhan

Mohamed Shokry al-Housny Sarhan was born in the city of Alexandria and he graduated from the Higher Institute for Acting in 1947. He has worked on theater, cinema and television and among his best know plays were “Ah ya Layl ya Qammar” (“Oh Night, Oh Moon”), “Yaseen ya Walady” (“Yaseen My Son”), “Awlad al-Shaware’” (“Street Kids”), “al-Sirk” (“The Circus”) and “Rigal Allah” (“Men of God”). His television works include “Ragol bela Ma’na” (“A Man without Meaning”), the spiritual television series “’ala Hamish al-Seera”, “Malik al-Yanaseeb” (“King of the Lottery”), “Khashou’” (“Humble”), “Abiar al-Melh”, “al-Mashrabiyah”, “Quloob min Hareer” (“Hearts of Silk”), “Rafa’at al-Tahtawy” and “Abou Hassan al-Busry”. Shokry portrayed the role of the peasant on screen with success and was married twice, first to retired dancer Harmeen and then to someone from outside the art circles, Nermeen ‘Ouf, with whom he had Salah and Yahya. He received several awards for his roles on films such as “Shabab Imraa”, “Rad Qalbi” (“My Heart’s Answer”), “al-Liss wa al-Kilab” (“The Thief and the Dogs”), “al-Bustagee” and “al-Zawga al-Thanya” (“The Second Wife”). He was also selected as the best actor at the 1996 Cairo Festival. His performance on his films varied and despite the fact that he was a lead star, he was in his best form with ‘Ezz al-Deen Zu al-Faqqar in “al-Imraa fee al-Tareeq” (“The Woman on the Way”), “Tareeq al-Amal” (“Path of Hope”), “Port Said” and “Rad Qalbi” (“My Heart’s Answer”). Shokry was at his best in terms of voice and performance in “al-Liss wa al-Kilab” (“The Thief and the Dogs”). He portrayed the role of the peasant with skill and is considered among the best to assume such a role in “Shabab Imraa” and “al-Zawga al-Thaniya” (“The Second Wife”). His intelligence betrayed him towards the end of his life and he portrayed marginal roles that did not suit his history.