(1926- )

Born in Alexandria in 1926, Saleh is a distinguished Egyptian film director. He trained in cinema in Paris until 1951. He directed a number of short films before directing his first feature film “Darb al-Mahabil” (The Road of Simpletons). Several of his films are adaptations of literary works. They deal with social injustice, problems of underdevelopment, political abuse and the class struggle.

In 1970 and after much censorship of his films, Saleh left Egypt

In 1973 he moved to Iraq to teach film, and then returned to Egypt in the mid-eighties to teach at the Higher Film Institute.

He has directed seven short and seven full-length feature films.

His first film, Darb al-mahabil (1955), was co-written by Naguib Mahfouz.

Sira' al-abtal (1962), set during the cholera epidemic of the 1930s. It featured Shukry Sarhan as a leftist country doctor who battles not only against the disease, but also against the peasant's ignorance, the midwife's intrigues and the egocentric interests of the feudal landowner.

Yaumiyat na'ib fi-l-aryaf (1968), produced by Syria’s General Film Organization. Adapted from a novel by Tawfiq al-Hakim

Al-Mutamarridoun, (1968) and al-Sayyid bulti, (1967) (: "Mister Fish"), both had to wait two years until their release.

Al-Makhdu’oun, (1972), was produced by the General Cinema Organization in Syria. Adapted from Ghassan Kanafani's novel, it is one of the first films to question pan-Arab solidarity, particularly when it comes to the Palestine. Winner Tanit d'Or, Carthage Film Festival, 1972. Nominated for Golden Prize, Moscow International Film Festival, 1973.

Al-Ayyam al-tawila, (1980), Saleh's last feature film was produced by the Iraqi Theatre and Film Organization.