Hadi El Bagoury discovered his passion for cinema at an early age, beginning his journey as a producer before becoming the mastermind behind some of the most celebrated projects, ranging from hit movies and TV series to memorable commercials and music videos. With an impressive body of work that includes Waheed Saheeh (A Whole One), Hepta 2: Al Monathara Al Akheera (Hepta 2: The Last Debate), and acclaimed series such as Finding Ola and Safah El Giza (The Giza Killer), El Bagoury has firmly established himself as one of Egypt’s most versatile directors. Enigma’s Habiba Abdulsalam had the chance to explore his inspiring path of success and bold creativity.
After finishing high school in the USA, Hadi El Bagoury returned to Egypt to study Hotel Management at Helwan University. “Living abroad at a young age and being independent helped shape who I am today, but the biggest factor remains my late brother, Sameh,” he reflects. Long before his name appeared in the credits of Egypt’s biggest projects, El Bagoury was a young boy captivated by the magic of cinema, thanks to his late older brother, Sameh El Bagoury, who studied directing and scriptwriting. “I found my passion for directing when I lived with Sameh; we would watch a lot of popular movies for his classes,” he recalls. “Later, I trained with him on the set of El Basha (The Pasha). We also collaborated on many commercials and music videos. He was the director, and I was the producer. I loved the business because of him. He had a calm presence, never got angry on set, and always focused on solving problems.”
After years of working as a producer, El Bagoury made his directorial debut in 2000, starting with commercials and music videos. “Commercials have a special formula; they change with every era depending on public preferences, whether it’s a comedy skit, a storytelling drama, or a musical. The key to a memorable commercial is to keep adapting,” he explains. “One of the most challenging commercials I ever worked on was for Etisalat, where Mohamed Ramadan played seven different characters.”
His influence on Egyptian music videos was equally groundbreaking. His debut, Leila Habibi (Leila, My Love) by Samira Said, marked a turning point in the industry. “It was something entirely new at the time,” he recalls. “We had to shoot in the rain, Samira was freezing, it was very challenging, but it turned out to be an incredible experience.” Soon after, he directed the cultural hit Al Salam Alikoum by Hakim, which quickly gained massive popularity across Egypt.
Building on this success, El Bagoury explored a new venture, producing Wama. “I had liked the idea of producing a boy band for a while. It was a trend back then,” he explains. “When we met, the four of them were already friends who had great chemistry, and that’s how Wama was born. We made a song, and I produced the music video, which became a huge hit.”
His concept of visual storytelling is what made his music videos truly stand out. “A music video must be visually attractive, whether through colour, effects, or a story. However, it all starts with the track. If the song itself isn’t captivating, no visuals can save it. It has to be something I personally connect with so I can make others feel the same.” One of his fondest memories? “Ragab by Haifa Wehbe, we filmed it on the docks in Alexandria. It was rough, but we had a lot of fun.”
As his career evolved, El Bagoury ventured into cinema, and his first project, Waheed Saheeh (A Whole One), opened doors he never imagined. “When the Dubai Film Festival wanted to screen the movie, it took me by surprise. I gave this project my all, but I never anticipated this recognition. It gave me the push I needed to keep doing what I love,” he says. Every piece of work he takes on, he adds, must resonate deeply. “I always build a connection to my work. I relate to the hero, the message, and I find a way to present something new in each project.”
That drive for experimentation led him to Warda, Egypt’s first found-footage horror film. “I was fascinated by the genre,” he says. “I was watching an international found-footage horror movie and thought to myself, why not make something like that in Egypt? I pitched the idea to Mohamed Hefzy, asking him to recommend a scriptwriter, and he loved the idea so much that he decided to write it himself.”
El Bagoury’s passion for pushing creative boundaries shines through in his latest project, Hepta 2: Al Monathara Al Akheera (Hepta 2: The Last Debate). “Creating a sequel to such a beloved film wasn’t easy,” he admits. “Two years after the first movie, we decided to get started on a sequel. We wanted to revisit the concept of love from a fresh perspective. It took years of trial and error before we found the right approach.”
In television, El Bagoury continued to surpass expectations. His work on Safah El Giza (The Giza Killer) took Egyptian TV by storm. “When I got the script, I didn’t have much experience in television,” he explains. “Since it was a thriller, I wasn’t afraid to make it more visually intense, something so violent and bloody that viewers would look away from their screens.”
On the other end of the emotional spectrum, his work on the Netflix Original series Finding Ola presented a softer, more comedic side. “Netflix reached out to me out of the blue,” he recalls. “When I saw the script, I loved that it was a light-hearted social comedy. I had a vision for it that reflected both the warmth and the chaos of a big, close-knit family. I drew inspiration from Italian families.”
When it comes to future dreams, El Bagoury still has plenty of creative ventures up his sleeve. “I’d love to direct a war film set during the 6th of October War, a powerful period drama with a deeply emotional story at its core, something similar to Saving Private Ryan,” he says. “I also hope to create a large-scale musical with a big cast one day.”
El Bagoury revealed exclusively to Enigma Magazine that he is currently preparing for Safah El Giza 2 (The Giza Killer 2), starring Egyptian actor Amir El-Masry. “It explores an entirely new storyline centred around a different character and isn’t connected to the first season,” he explains.
Encouraging young creatives, El Bagoury shares simple yet powerful advice. “Nowadays, it’s easier than ever to showcase your talent. You don’t need a huge budget or special equipment; take advantage of your phone camera and start. If you have a passion for directing, don’t wait, just leap. Life doesn’t follow a plan; something unclear can grow into a big opportunity.”
And on a more personal note? “I got married on October 30!” he reveals excitedly. “I couldn’t be happier to start this next chapter. Heidi has such a beautiful spirit and radiates positive energy. I’m so grateful to have met her, and I can’t wait to begin this new life together.”