Tarik Saleh

Born in Stockholm 1972.

Saleh started his carrier as one of Sweden’s most prominent graffiti artists. His mural Fascinate from 1989 is one of the world’s oldest existing graffiti paintings. It is the first graffiti mural to be protected by the Swedish state as a cultural heritage.

His work as an art director led him to start the documentary magazine Alive in Cairo, Egypt 1995. A few years later he published the legendary Swedish underground magazine Atlas.

In 2001 he co-directed Sacrificio - Who betrayed Che Guevara? with Erik Gandini. The documentary film questions the myth surrounding the death of Che Guevara. It sparked international debate and controversy.

In 2003 he produced and wrote his second drama series for the Swedish Television, Dream Team. Dream Team is about the life and intrigues around a god-forsaken local TV-station.

In 2005 he co-directed the feature documentary film Gitmo - The New Rules of War with Erik Gandini. The film is about the Guantanamo Bay detention camp. It won several awards in the U.S. and Europe.

He has developed several TV concepts for the Swedish Television. Among them: Varldens modernaste land, together with Fredrik Lindstrom. It was awarded best culture and current affairs program of 2007.

In 2009 he directed the animated feature Metropia starring Vincent Gallo, Juliette Lewis, Alexander Skarsgard, Stellan Skarsgard and Udo Kier. The film premiered as the opening film at the critic week in Venice. It has been screened at over 65 film festivals like Tribeca and London Film Festival and has won several awards. It was Sweden’s nomination for the Nordic Council Film Prize.

In 2011 Tarik Saleh directed the music videos for artist Lykke Li - Sadness is a Blessing featuring Stellan Skarsgard. It was awarded best narrative video at the Antville Music Video Awards. Follow Rivers featuring Fares Fares has had more than 13 million views on Youtube.

Tarik Saleh is one of the founders of Atmo.