Vedat Örfi Bengü
Turkish film producer and actor (1900–1953)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Vedat Örfi Bengü, also spelt as Wedad Orfi, and Wadad Orfi, (October 14, 1900 – May 25, 1953) was a Turkish-Egyptian silent film producer and actor.[1]
October 14, 1900
Vedat Örfi Bengü | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Wadad Orfi October 14, 1900 |
| Died | May 25, 1953 (aged 52) |
| Other names | Wedad Orfi, Wadad Orfi, |
| Occupations | Film producer, actor |
| Years active | 1917-1953 |
Career
Controversy depicting Muhammad
In 1926, Örfi approached Youssef Wahbi to play the role of Muhammad in a film, which would be financed by the Turkish government and a German producer.[2] Whilst the President of Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, and the Istanbul Council of Ulamas gave their approval to the film, the Islamic Al-Azhar University in Cairo published a juridical decision stipulating that Islam forbids the representation of Muhammad and his companions.[2] Thereafter, King Fouad warned Whabi that he would be exiled and stripped of his Egyptian citizenship if he took part in the film.[2] Consequently, the film was later abandoned.[1]
Leila/Layla – the first Egyptian feature film
By 1927 Örfi produced and starred in the film "Neda Allah" ("The Call of Allah") which was a collaborative project with Aziza Amir.[3] The film was later remade and released as "Laila" ("Leila") with some of Orfi’s original shots left in the film.[3] The latter production is often considered to be the first Egyptian feature film.
Filmography
In Egypt
- 1927: Laila
- 1928: The Victim / al-Dahiyyah
- 1929: The Beauty from the Desert / Ghaddat al-sahra
- 1929: The Drama of Life / Ma Sat al-Hayat
