Algerian actor Ahmed Benaissa dies hours before his film Sons Of Ramses' Cannes premiere

Algerian Actor Ahmed Benaissa passed away hours before his film, Sons Of Ramses' premiere at Cannes 2022. He was 78 years old.

Algerian actor Ahmed Benaissa is no more. He passed away at the age of 78, just hours before his Parisian thriller film, Sons of Ramses, was due to be screened at the Cannes Film Festival 2022. According to a report by People, the actor and comedian died from a long illness.

Ahmed Benaissa has more than 120 film credits to his name. "I am deeply saddened at the sudden passing of Ahmed Benaissa," director Clement Cogitore said in a statement. The veteran actor died on May 20 after a long illness, according to the Algerian Ministry of Culture. His death came just hours before his film, Sons of Ramses, premiered at Cannes Film Festival during a special screening for Critics' Week.

"With great sadness and sorrow, the Minister of Culture and Arts, Dr. Sourieh Mologi, received the news of the death of the deceased actor and theater director Ahmed bin Issa, at the age of 78 years, due to health ailment," the Ministry of Culture shared in a statement on Facebook.

"With this, the Algerian artistic arena loses one of its notable figures, and from the void of art improvises again a knight of its knights, who leaves behind a theatrical and cinematic artistic legacy," Dr. Mologi added. "He is the owner of many theatrical works that left their mark in the world of the father of arts, and a rich cinematic credit."

MK2 films also announced that Son of Ramses screening would be dedicated to Benaissa. "All our heartfelt thoughts go out to his family and loved ones," the company shared in a statement.