Young director Amr Ali remembered his late father, the great Hatem Ali, ten days after his passing with touching words, writing on social media:
"My father... Ten days have passed and I do not know what to write, as the echo of your voice still resonates loudly in my head, while our last pictures refuse to leave my mind. Ten days I have been struggling to arrange the events of the last days, recalling a small incident here and forgetting a significant event there: our last meeting in the garden of the Marriott Hotel, our last lunch at Samakmak restaurant in Mohandessin, the premiere of the film ‘200 Meters’ at Zawya Cinema, the final rehearsal for presenting our film at the Cairo Cinematic Forum, my annoyance and discomfort about your great concern and constant worry, my sudden improvisation of a speech that was not planned in front of the forum guests and the jury, the complete cut-off of water in Zamalek due to subway excavation works. But: how was I to know that these were our last days together? How could I have guessed? How could I have suspected? How could I have anticipated? I doubt? I prepare? And between us lies a sea of dreams and hopes and a long-awaited return to Damascus to complete the film? Ten days I remember your return from filming a car accident scene in the series ‘Al-Rajul S’ in a blood-stained shirt: my fear, panic, and tears. Your embrace and smile and your words: 'This is acting.' Oh, how I wish everything that happened was just acting within acting, and I wish the pains and sorrows resting in my heart could bring back your captivating soul to me, even for just one time, to tell you I love you, you who made me... I love you as no son has ever loved his father... and until love in this existence reaches its ultimate."
Syrian director Hatem Ali passed away in Cairo, Egypt, on the morning of Tuesday, December 29, 2020, and his body was buried in the Syrian capital, Damascus, attended by his family, loved ones, and a large number of stars.
