Actor and ambassador for Egyptian cinema, Ezzat El Alayli participated in more than 70 films between 1962 and 2000. A graduate of the Institute for Dramatic Arts in 1960, he is selective about the roles he chooses, and is well known for his commitment to dramatic and politically involved ones. His roles are often tied to questions of poverty and the common people, with the recurring themes of land, patriotism and freedom. His character choices run particularly towards the 'realistic current' in Egyptian cinema. ("La Terre" (1968), "Le Vendeur d'eau est mort!" (1977), "Le Collier et le bracelet" (1986), "Citoyen Masri" (1991).)