One of the pioneers of Egypt’s new realism, Abdel-Sayed, 75, explained during an interview with a local TV channel this weekend that viewers have different tastes now and he will not be able to make films “just for entertainment.”

Many filmmakers and critics have reacted shockingly to the announcement, with some believing that Abdel-Sayed would change his mind in the event the industry’s circumstances changed.

Abdel-Sayed, however, re-confirmed his retirement on Sunday saying that it’s normal at his age, adding that he took the decision earlier but just delayed the announcement.

Abdel-Sayed’s stellar filmography includes ‘Al-Kit-Kat’ (1991), ‘Ard Al-Khouf’ (1999), ‘Mowaten wi-Mokhber wi-Haramy’ (2001), ‘Rasa’el Al-Bahr’ (2010), and ‘Qodorat Gheir Adeya’ (2014), to name but a few.