A scene from a memorial event in Baghdad honoring the late Abdul Wahab Al-Daini. (Photo: 964media)
'A creative artist'
Baghdad memorializes filmmaker and artist Abdul Wahab Al-Daini
BAGHDAD — The Al-Mada Foundation for Culture and Arts held a memorial session on Al-Mutanabbi Street to honor the late Iraqi filmmaker and artist Abdul Wahab Al-Daini, who died in January of a heart attack. The event brought together intellectuals, artists, and colleagues to commemorate his decades-long contributions to theater, cinema, and television.
Al-Daini, best known for his 1980s satirical film “Faiq Yatazawaj” (“Faiq Gets Married”), was remembered for blending global literary influences with sharp social commentary. The session, led by researcher Rifaat Abdul Razzaq, reflected on Al-Daini’s impact on multiple generations of local artists.
Born in 1934, Al-Daini emerged as an influential figure in television, cinema, and theater. He began his career in the 1960s, directing and performing on stages such as the National Theater in Karrada Mariam and Baghdad Theater in Al-Bataween. His acting career took off with his role in The Bride of the Euphrates (Aroos Al-Furat), directed by Abdul Hadi Mubarak in the late 1950s. In subsequent decades, he wrote and directed several notable works, including Aboud Sings (Aboud Yughanni), which became popular in the 1970s.
Rifaat Abdul Razzaq, who led the memorial session, described Al-Daini as a multi-talented artist. He studied theater at the Institute of Fine Arts in Baghdad before moving to Italy in 1969 to pursue advanced studies.
Despite his success, Al-Daini faced many challenges. “When he returned to the country, he became involved in cinema and theater, working as a teacher at the Institute of Fine Arts, where he later became the head of the department. However, he withdrew from the art world in 1986 after his arrest, during which he faced persecution and torture and was imprisoned for a period,” Abdul Razzaq said.
Sabah Al-Mandalawi, former head of the Iraqi Artists Syndicate, described Al-Daini as “a creative artist” whose work left a lasting impact on the country’s cultural landscape. Al-Mandalawi recalled Al-Daini’s celebrated role in The Bride of the Euphrates and his direction of The New House (Al-Bayt Al-Jadeed) in 1966.
