The Cairo-trilogy, featuring actor Fares Fares, marks the central achievement of Tarik Saleh, a director whose work bridges independent festival success and Hollywood productions. Born in 1972 in Stockholm to a Swedish mother and an Egyptian father, Saleh transitioned from the street art scene into a multifaceted career encompassing animation, television hosting, and feature film direction.
Early Work and Graffiti Art
During the late 1980s and early 1990s, Saleh gained prominence as a graffiti artist in Sweden, most notably co-creating the work known as Fascinate. His early professional path included roles as a journalist, animator, and television presenter for Sveriges Television. He also established the production company Atmo, which became a foundational hub for his subsequent cinematic projects.
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Saleh established his directorial credentials through documentary filmmaking, releasing Sacrificio: Who Betrayed Che Guevara in 2001 and Gitmo: The New Rules of War in 2005. His transition to feature animation arrived with the 2009 English-language film Metropia, which premiered at the 66th Venice International Film Festival. He further diversified his creative output by directing music videos for artist Lykke Li, including Sadness is a Blessing and I Follow Rivers.
The Cairo Trilogy
The Cairo-trilogy consists of three films starring Fares Fares. The first, The Nile Hilton Incident (2017), secured the World Cinema Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic at the Sundance Film Festival and earned the Best Film accolade at the 53rd Guldbagge Awards. Boy from Heaven (2022) followed, winning the Best Screenplay award and the François Chalais Prize at the Cannes Film Festival. It reached the 15-film shortlist for the Best International Feature Film at the 95th Academy Awards and received a Best Foreign Film nomination at the 48th César Awards. The final installment, Eagles of the Republic, competed for the Palme d'Or at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival.
Hollywood and International Television
In 2022, Saleh directed his first Hollywood feature, The Contractor, starring Chris Pine, Ben Foster, and Gillian Jacobs. Due to the financial instability of STXfilms, domestic rights were transferred to Paramount Pictures and Showtime, while Prime Video handled the international distribution. Additionally, Saleh contributed his directorial skills to television projects in 2018, including episodes of Westworld and Ray Donovan.
Fast facts
- Born: 28 January 1972
- Place of birth: Stockholm, Sweden
- Notable trilogy: Cairo-trilogy
- Production company: Atmo
- First feature film: Metropia (2009)
- Television work: Westworld, Ray Donovan
Questions readers ask
What is Tarik Saleh's most famous film series?
He is primarily known for the Cairo-trilogy, which consists of The Nile Hilton Incident, Boy from Heaven, and Eagles of the Republic.
Did Tarik Saleh direct for Hollywood?
Yes, he directed the 2022 film The Contractor, which starred Chris Pine, Ben Foster, and Gillian Jacobs.
Achievements
- Worked as film director, director and screenwriter
