User:Heshamissawi

Hesham Issawi

Born in Egypt, attended university of Alexandria for 2 years before moving to the States. Attended Okaton Community College. Attended Columbia College in chicago

Born in Egypt and raised in a devoutly intellectual Egyptian family. In the 80’s Hesham felt the lack of individualism in the education system and was unable to conform to a traditional society this contributed to his insatiable appetite for American movies and culture. He was labeled a trouble-maker at school but his eagerness to travel to America became his incentive to study hard and finish high school. This dream to study in the States changed the course of his life. He moved to America in 1990 to follow his geologist father’s footsteps in to anthropology. The culture shock came that first year in America when he found himself able to discuss, talk and argue freely with his teacher who encouraged him, “all we ask from you is to be.” The freedom of the American education caused Issawi to consider other options and so he changed his minor from anthropology to art and photography. This is where he learned his love of light, the ability to show emotion through shadow and painting a story through the lens. He changed his major to filmmaking.

http://www.cairoexit.com He attended film school, Columbia College/Chicago, and Graduated in 1996. Issawi began his career working in local TV station as an editor and in the documentary world before directing a few short subjects of his own. In 1997 he C0- Produced the Documentary, “Saving the sphinx,” for the Learning Channel. He continues to work as an Avid editor for several TV shows, reality shows and documentaries.

In 2002 Issawi love of noir Films manifested in his short Film, The Interrogation, which he wrote and directed. It won Best Creative Short film in New York Film Festival and Best Music Score in the California International Film Festival. In 2003, he Co-wrote and directed the short film, T For Terrorist, winner of Best Short Film in both Boston and San Francisco Film Festivals. In 2007 he directed his feature debut, AmericanEast. The movie explores the plight of Middle Eastern people in America post 9/11.

In 2010 he directed the Movie "Cairo Exit" or "The Exit" which was shot in Egypt, Cairo.

Directer: The Exit (CAIRO EXIT) 2010 AmericanEast 2007 T For Terrorist 2003 The Interrogation 2001