Mamoun Hamid Hassan (12 December 1937 – 29 July 2022) was a Saudi-born British screenwriter, director, editor, producer and teacher of film who held prominent positions in British cinema during the 1970s and 80s, frequently backing experimental work. He was the first head of production of the British Film Institute (BFI) and later managing director of the National Film Finance Corporation (NFFC).
Life and career Mamoun Hamid Hassan was born in Jeddah, in Saudi Arabia on 12 December 1937. He began his career in film working as an editing assistant with Kevin Brownlow. He made his first distributed short film 'The Meeting', in 1965, for which he was awarded a best prize award at the Oberhausen Film Festival. He was the first head of production of the British Film Institute from 1971, in which post he instigated the BFI's policy of backing low-budget feature films that charted in new directions; he assisted the director Bill Douglas by securing crew and funding to make The Bill Douglas Trilogy (1972–78), and financially supported the production of Winstanley (1975).Tibbetts, John C., "Winstanley"; or, Kevin Brownlow Camps out on St. George's Hill.". Literature/Film Quarterly. Salisbury University. 1 January 2003h Hassan was the first to support film that was made by Black British filmmakers about their experiences in Britain: Horace Ove's Pressure. After leaving the BFI he taught at the National Film and Television School at Beaconsfield. In 1979 he wrote a policy paper for AIP (of which he was a founder member) on the future of the National Film Finance Corporation, which led to him being appointed to the board by the Minister of Trade and Industry. Subsequent to this, he was appointed Managing Director. In this position he backed the film Babylon (1980), Gregory's Girl, Britannia Hospital, Raymond Briggs' When the Wind Blows and again helped Douglas in the production of Comrades (1986). When he wasn't able to support film directly, he would use his influence to ensure they were made. These include Merchant Ivory's Heat and Dust and Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence. Despite the "brave funding choices" and renewed creativity of the NFFC under Hassan, it was abolished in 1985. Afterwards he worked as a film producer, screenwriter, consultant, lecturer and teacher in the field of cinema.
Hassan died from a heart attack at his flat in Hampstead, London, on 29 July 2022, at the age of 84.
Filmography Year Film Credit2019SpiderCreative consultant2012My Brother the DevilEditing consultant2009Bill Douglas: Reflections on His TrilogyInterviewee2008La Buena VidaProducer, Screenplay2006Affairs of the HouseSpecial thanks Bill Douglas: Intent on Getting the ImageCast member2004MachucaProducer, Screenplay 1988Distant Voices, Still LivesSpecial thanks1986When the Wind BlowsExecutive Producer - uncredited, Special thanks1985No SurrenderProducerDance with a StrangerExecutive Producer - uncredited1984Another CountryExecutive Producer - uncredited1982Britannia HospitalExecutive Producer - uncredited1976Some of the PalestiniansDirector, Editor1975WinstanleyExecutive Producer - uncredited, Special thanks1974A Private EnterpriseExecutive Producer - uncredited, Special thanks1971Here Are LadiesEditor1969Wild and Free Twice Daily (Documentary)Editor1966Turner (Documentary short)Editor1964The MeetingDirector, Producer, Writer
Television Credits YearProductionCredit1990Movie Masterclass (Series 2) - Program 1: World of ApuDeviser, Producer, Presenter1988Movie Masterclass (Series 1) - Program 1: Seven SamuraiDeviser, Producer, Presenter1973Cinema Now (TV Series) - Two Young Film MakersSelf1968Contrasts (TV Series) (1 Episode)DirectorLiving on the BoxDirector
References
External links
Official website