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Culture November 21, 2018

In The Spotlight: Arab Stars Unite at El Gouna for the Love of Cinema

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Yousra

A much-loved icon in the Middle East, the Egyptian actor is renowned for her vast range. She has starred in more than 80 films and TV series since the late Seventies; with each role as varied as the next, covering everything from comedies to dark dramas. Yousra is also a successful singer – her hit song “3 Daqat” with Abu was one of 2017’s most viral music videos. The secret to her success? Staying true to herself. She once said, “ Don’t be arrogant. Believe in what you do and love what you do.”
Photo: Ämr Ezzeldinn
Arwa Gouda

Born in Saudi Arabia, Arwa Gouda started modeling as a young teen. Her striking looks landed her her first movie role; a film she attributes to her always craving change. She’s since starred in blockbuster movies and shows like El Mowaten X and Abo Omar El Masry, focusing on roles that portray strong women. Her red carpet style always draws attention, as she champions Egyptian designers and jewelery brands like Miriam Nazmy, Iram Jewelry, and Zeina Hosny.
Photo: Ämr Ezzeldinn
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Asser Yassin

As a child, Asser Yassin wanted to be a Formula 1 mechanic but after graduating with a degree in mechanical engineering from the American University in Cairo and working as a teaching assistant, he knew he was destined for the big screen. Now a successful actor, writer, and film producer, the Egyptian star has won three best actor awards: two for Rassayel el Bhar, at the Cairo National Festival for Egyptian Cinema and the Carthage Film Festival, and for Aswar alQamar at Tetouan International Mediterranean Film Festival. His latest film, Diamond Dust (Turab El Mass) was released in August.
Photo: Ämr Ezzeldinn
Yasmine Sabri

Yasmine Sabri believes every woman should be independent and free to pursue her dreams. And pursue them she did – starting as a TV reporter and then transitioning to acting. Her roles have ranged from action-packed to dramatic, with her movie Gahim Fel Hend breaking box-office records. Her red carpet style is no less dramatic, with Sabri favoring gowns by Yousef Aljasmi and Antoine Kareh. She’s also an accomplished swimmer and humanitarian, spreading awareness about the war in Syria and Arab women’s rights.
Photo: Ämr Ezzeldinn
Nelly Karim

An actor, model, ballerina, and mother of four, Nelly Karim recently also acquired a master’s degree from Cambridge International College. The multitalented star won the praise of women worldwide when, in 2006, she refused to take part in seductive scenes. She is the diva of the Ramadan series, with A Girl Named Zat receiving unanimous acclaim in the Arab world in 2013. She has won numerous awards, most notably best actress at the Cairo International Film Festival in 2004 for her role as cancer patient Shams in Enta Omry, and best actress again at the Arab Film Festival for 678. She’s also been selected as a juror at the Venice international film festival, among other festivals.
Photo: Ämr Ezzeldinn
Sherif Mounir

The silver-screen veteran has enjoyed an illustrious 30-year career in film and television, starting with Awdat mowatin in 1986. He appeared in a plethora of movies and soap operas with actors and producers spanning different generations and genres, including 30 Years Ago (2016) and Welad El Am (2009).
Photo: Ämr Ezzeldinn

Sherif Mounir

Ahmed Malek

At only 23 and having auditioned for his first role at age eight, Ahmed Malek is one of Egypt’s most promising actors of the silver screen. Following a short hiatus during the Egyptian Revolution, during which he focused on political activism, he has since racked up a slew of cinema credits, including acclaimed roles in Clash (2016). Sheikh Jackson (2017), and EXT. Night (2018). Recently, he was included among a select group of up-and-coming actors presented at the Toronto film festival for his leading part in Montréal Girls (2018), his first international role.
Photo: Ämr Ezzeldinn
Riham Abdel Ghafour

The daughter of the celebrated actor Ashraf Abdel Ghafour, Reham Abdel Ghafour carries the acting craft in her blood. Balancing both the small screen and theater work – Kan yom Hobak to AlMalek Lear – her latest role is in Souq El-Gouma. At the festival, she walked the red carpet in local designers Farida Temraza and Norine Farah.
Photo: Ämr Ezzeldinn
Saba Mubarak

The Jordanian superstar actor and producer has been performing on screen for two decades, appearing in more than 40 TV shows. She got her break while studying theater acting and directing at Yarmouk University, when she was encouraged to audition for a role in a play. She got the part and from there, stardom beckoned. Her latest film role was in The Guest: Aleppo to Istanbul, portraying a woman fleeing from civil war with her neighbor’s young children in tow. In 2011, she also launched her production company, Pan East Media, to create Jordanian shows.
Photo: Ämr Ezzeldinn

Saba Mubarak

Jamila Awad

With a director for a father and actor as a mother – Adel Awad and Randa Kotob – it’s not surprising that Jamila Awad is making a name for herself in the film and TV industry. The family ties run even deeper, as her grandfather was legendary comedian Mohamed Awad. She got her breakthrough in 2015 with a controversial and challenging role in the Ramadan series Taht El-Saytara, playing a troubled 16-year-old who descends into drug addiction. The character was far removed from her real life. Awad was a hardworking teenager, who studied political science and mass communication before venturing into acting. Ultimately she’d like to follow in her father’s footsteps and work behind the camera.
Photo: Ämr Ezzeldinn
Salma Abu Deif

While Salma Abu Deif started modeling to help out a friend, her role in the hit movie Sheikh Jackson revealed her acting chops. She starred in two Ramadan series before her breakout big-screen debut, playing Hend Sabri’s younger sister in Halawat Al-Dounia. The young actor has an Instagram following of almost 800 000, where she regularly displays her support for regional designers like Rami Kadi and Georges Hobeika.
Photo: Ämr Ezzeldinn
Elisa Sednaoui Dellal

Her exotic looks come courtesy of her colorful ethnic background – her fashion editor mother has Italian heritage and her architect father is Syrian, Egyptian, and French. An international model, actor, and director, Dellal has starred in campaigns for Chanel, Armani, Roberto Cavalli, and Missoni while also appearing in films alongside Vincent Gallo, Édgar Ramirez, and Alain Chabat. In 2013, she created The Elisa Sednaoui Foundation, whose mission is to deliver creative learning experiences within local communities. An ardent philanthropist, she is also an official supporter of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.
Photo: Ämr Ezzeldinn
Injy El Mokkadem

Egyptian actor Injy El Mokkadem learned Italian in just two months to take on the role of sharp-tongued patisserie owner Sofia in the past Ramadan series Layaly Eugenie. The psychology major, who also minored in theater, has been acting since 2007, when she appeared in the sitcom Ahmed Etgawez Mona, but considers Sofia her breakout role and the one that most closely mirrors her own character.
Photo: Ämr Ezzeldinn
Hesham Selim

Having had his first break at age 13, veteran actor Hesham Selim – son of late actor and football manager Saleh Selim – has been cast in cinema and TV roles since childhood. In 1976, he worked with director Youssef Chahine in Awdat Al Ibn El Dal. As one of Egypt’s most recognized actors, he has witnessed the local industry go from strength to strength over his five-decade-long career. His work includes roles in Layaly Al Helmeya and Arabesque.
Photo: Ämr Ezzeldinn
Amina Khalil

If Amina Khalil describes herself as an occasional singer, former ballerina, and cooking enthusiast, acting remains the Egyptian’s foremost passion. With more than two million followers on Instagram, she uses her platform to showcase her support for local designers like Azza Fahmy. She also promotes her diverse and continuous flow of cinema and TV roles – from Al Khaliyya and Sheikh Jackson to La Totfe’ El Shams and Layaly Eugenie – under the direction of the likes of Hani Khalifa, Amr Salama, and Mohamed Shaker Khodeir. She starred in the TV series Grand Hotel, now on Netflix.
Photo: Ämr Ezzeldinn
Yasmin Raeis

Following a successful modeling career, Raeis delved into the acting world after her big break in the series 3ard khas. Her career-defining role was in Mohamed Khan’s Factory Girl (2013). The Egyptian star won the best actress award at the Dubai international film festival for her portrayal of the impoverished factory worker who falls for her supervisor, leading to unintended consequences. After her roles in Hepta and Dahr Ragel (2016), she played the lead in Shirin Neshat’s Looking for Oum Kulthum (2017).
Photo: Ämr Ezzeldinn
Dorra Zarrouk

The Tunisian actor studied law before turning to acting. She also gained her master’s degree in political science from Saint Joseph University in Beirut, but the lure of the silver screen proved too appealing. As a young student, she joined a prestigious theater group and did acting workshops, landing roles in film and TV. Moving to Cairo proved to be the catalyst for her career, when Youssef Chahine cast her in his final film, Heya Fawda. Today, she’s one of the Arab world’s most in-demand actors.
Photo: Ämr Ezzeldinn
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Honoring the Egyptian film industry of the future, the second edition of the El Gouna Film Festival welcomed regional and international stars at the balmy seaside resort town for the eight-day competition. Actors Owen Wilson, Sylvester Stallone, and Clive Owen were greeted by Arab stars, including Yousra, Shereen Reda, Bouchra (COO and co-founder), and Mona Zaki, to mingle on yachts and hotel beaches before changing into red carpet attire that highlighted regional brands Georges Hobeika, Kojak Studio, Yousef Al Jasmi, Basil Soda, and Arwa Al Banawi. The opening and closing ceremonies were held at the open-air theater located in Marina and continued into the early hours at the hotel La Maison Bleue.

Originally printed in the November 2018 issue of Vogue Arabia

Following its successful debut edition, the festival was a celebration of life in the midst of crisis, where cinema bridges cultures and mirrors the potential creativity in this part of the world. It is “cinema for humanity” that celebrates human potential and achievements, while being anchored in everyday struggles.

Throughout the packed festival, 80 films were screened. It honored the works of Egyptian director Dawoud Abdel Sayed and Tunisian producer Dora Bouchoucha. It commemorated the 25th and 10th anniversaries of Federico Fellini’s and Youssef Chahine’s passing, respectively. It also celebrated the 100th anniversary of the birth of Ingmar Bergman. Stallone received the career achievement award. The ultimate winner was A Land Imagined “for having given voice to a silent community.” The film, directed by Siew Yeo Huaw, was awarded US $50 000. Meanwhile, Another Day of Life, directed by Raúl de la Fuente and Damian Nenow, and Yomeddine, directed by AB Shawky, took home the cinema for humanity award, with a prize of US $10 000, having moved the jury with their humanitarian themes. Shawky also nabbed the El Gouna Star for the best Arab narrative. The best actor and actress awards went to Mohamed Dhrif and Joanna Kulig. Aquarela, directed by Victor Kossakovsky, was awarded the El Gouna Gold Star for documentary film for “capturing the beauty and cruelty of ranging oceans”

Founded by magnate Naguib Sawiris, the festival has established itself as an annual celebration of Arab and international cinema. We spotlight the Arab actors at El Gouna in the gallery above.

Now Read: Best-Dressed Celebrities From the Cairo International Film Festival 2018 Red Carpet

Words: Alexandria Gouveia, Caterina Minthe, Christine Van Deemter
Photography: Ämr Ezzeldinn
Production: Snap Fourteen
Fashion: Bosaina
Video Assistant: Adam Mostafa
Furniture: Ebony & Ivory Design
Rug: Kahhal 1871

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