Djerba Arab Film Festival Honors Elham Shaheen in Press Conference
Tunis, June 19, 2023 – The Djerba Arab Film Festival kicked off its second session with a press conference dedicated to the renowned star, Elham Shaheen. The conference, held in the presence of Dr. Abla Al-Aswad, the festival’s general director, was presented by journalist and writer Gamal Abdel Nasser.
Nasser began the symposium by praising Shaheen as an artist who is beloved by Arab masses and supports cultural, artistic, and cinematic events. He expressed his honor in writing a book about her titled “The Rebellious,” highlighting her ability to challenge societal norms both in life and in art.
The press conference was attended by prominent directors Magdy Ahmed Ali and Omar Abdel Aziz, as well as artists Amir Chahine, Sherif Helmy, Ahmed Magdy, and Yasmine El-Khatib. Critics, journalists, and media representatives from Tunisia were also present.
Dr. Abla Al-Aswad, the festival’s director, expressed her gratitude to Elham Shaheen for her continuous support of culture and the arts. She described Shaheen as a true humanitarian who embodies the essence of humanity.
In her speech, Elham Shaheen expressed her gratitude for the honor bestowed upon her by the Djerba Arab Film Festival. She emphasized her love for supporting emerging festivals and her dedication to attending seminars and film screenings to promote a better understanding of cinema. Shaheen also shared her experience in founding the Aswan Women’s Film Festival, where she faced numerous challenges but managed to invite artists and engage the audience.
Shaheen discussed her artistic history, acknowledging that her tendency to immerse herself in characters has affected her personal life. She expressed pride in her movies “Oh Donia Ya Grammy” and “The Fun Market,” considering them close to her heart due to their bold and important messages. She also mentioned her love for tackling various controversial issues in her work, citing the movie “One Zero” as an example.
When asked about the absence of stars from her generation in the artistic scene, Shaheen expressed her belief that there is an unspoken exclusion of many talented individuals. She criticized those who fail to appreciate the value of writers, directors, and actors, emphasizing the importance of artists and their contributions to society. She praised directors Magdy Ahmed Ali and Omar Abdel Aziz for their professionalism and the positive atmosphere they create on set.
Shaheen revealed her lifelong dream of portraying Hatshepsut, the first Egyptian ruler in history. Although she had planned to work on a series and a movie with the late star Youssef Chahine, the project never materialized due to Chahine’s busy schedule and subsequent passing. Shaheen acknowledged that the opportunity to portray Hatshepsut had passed, but she considers herself fortunate to be an artist driven by passion and love for cinema.
Regarding her upcoming projects, Shaheen announced her involvement in a new film titled “Banat Sabra,” which sheds light on forced marriages and female genital mutilation. She also mentioned another movie called “Vito.”
The press conference concluded with a series of photos capturing Elham Shaheen during the symposium, showcasing her elegance and grace.
The Djerba Arab Film Festival continues to celebrate Arab cinema and honor talented artists like Elham Shaheen, who have made significant contributions to the industry.Djerba Arab Film Festival Honors Elham Shaheen in Press Conference
Tunis, June 19, 2023 – The Djerba Arab Film Festival kicked off its second session with a press conference dedicated to the renowned star, Elham Shaheen. The conference, held in the presence of Dr. Abla Al-Aswad, the festival’s general director, was presented by journalist and writer Gamal Abdel Nasser.
Nasser began the symposium by praising Shaheen as an artist who is beloved by Arab masses and supports cultural, artistic, and cinematic events. He expressed his honor in writing a book about her titled “The Rebellious,” highlighting her ability to challenge societal norms both in life and in art.
The press conference was attended by prominent directors Magdy Ahmed Ali and Omar Abdel Aziz, as well as artists Amir Chahine, Sherif Helmy, Ahmed Magdy, and Yasmine El-Khatib. Critics, journalists, and media representatives from Tunisia were also present.
Dr. Abla Al-Aswad, the festival’s director, expressed her gratitude to Elham Shaheen for her continuous support of culture and the arts. She described Shaheen as a true humanitarian who embodies the essence of humanity.
In her speech, Elham Shaheen expressed her gratitude for the honor bestowed upon her by the Djerba Arab Film Festival. She emphasized her love for supporting emerging festivals and her dedication to attending seminars and film screenings to promote a better understanding of cinema. Shaheen also shared her experience in founding the Aswan Women’s Film Festival, where she faced numerous challenges but managed to invite artists and engage the audience.
Shaheen discussed her artistic history, mentioning her movies “Oh Donia Ya Grammy” and “The Fun Market” as films close to her heart due to their bold and important messages. She also expressed her love for addressing various controversial issues in her work, citing her movie “One Zero” as an example.
When asked about the absence of stars from her generation in the artistic scene, Shaheen expressed her belief that there is an unannounced exclusion of many talented individuals. She criticized those who fail to appreciate the value of writers, directors, and actors, emphasizing the importance of valuing artists and their contributions to society. Shaheen praised directors Magdy Ahmed Ali and Omar Abdel Aziz for their professionalism and the positive atmosphere they create on set.
Shaheen revealed her artistic dreams, expressing her desire to portray the personality of Hatshepsut, the first Egyptian ruler in history. Unfortunately, due to various circumstances, the project was never realized. However, she considers herself fortunate to be an artist and expressed her passion and love for cinema.
Regarding her upcoming work, Shaheen announced that she is preparing a new film called “Banat Sabra,” which sheds light on the issues of forced marriage and female genital mutilation. She also mentioned another movie titled “Vito.”
The press conference honoring Elham Shaheen marked the beginning of the Djerba Arab Film Festival’s first day, which includes a master class and various activities. The festival aims to celebrate Arab cinema and raise its status, with the support of artists like Shaheen and the dedication of its director, Dr. Abla Al-Aswad.
As the festival continues, audiences can look forward to a diverse range of films and events that showcase the talent and creativity of Arab filmmakers.
How does Elham Shaheen’s passion for addressing controversial issues in her work contribute to the advancement of Arab cinema and culture?
Managed to invite artists and engage the audience.
Shaheen discussed her artistic history and how immersing herself in characters has impacted her personal life. She expressed pride in her movies “Oh Donia Ya Grammy” and “The Fun Market,” as they conveyed bold and important messages. Furthermore, Shaheen mentioned her passion for addressing controversial issues in her work, citing the movie “One Zero” as an example.
When asked about the absence of stars from her generation in the artistic scene, Shaheen expressed her belief that many talented individuals are unjustly excluded. She criticized those who fail to appreciate the value of writers, directors, and actors, highlighting the importance of artists in society. She praised directors Magdy Ahmed Ali and Omar Abdel Aziz for their professionalism and the positive atmosphere they create on set.
Shaheen revealed her lifelong dream of portraying Hatshepsut, the first Egyptian ruler in history. Although she had hoped to collaborate with the late star Youssef Chahine on a series and a movie about Hatshepsut, the project was never realized due to Chahine’s busy schedule and subsequent passing. Despite missing the opportunity, Shaheen considers herself fortunate to be an artist driven by passion and love for cinema.
Regarding her upcoming projects, Shaheen announced her involvement in a new film titled “Banat Sabra,” which sheds light on forced marriages and female genital mutilation. She also mentioned another movie called “Vito.”
The press conference concluded with a series of elegant and graceful photos capturing Elham Shaheen during the symposium.
With the Djerba Arab Film Festival recognizing and honoring talented artists like Elham Shaheen, Arab cinema continues to be celebrated and promoted. Shaheen’s contributions to the industry and her dedication to supporting emerging festivals reflect her commitment to the advancement of Arab cinema and culture.
Elham Shaheen’s remarkable talent as a rebel artist deserves recognition, and it is heartwarming to see her honored at the Djerba Arab Film Festival. Through her work, she challenges societal norms and bravely uses her platform to vocalize important messages. Shaheen is a true inspiration for artists worldwide.
Elham Shaheen truly deserves the honor she received at the Djerba Arab Film Festival. As a rebel artist, she fearlessly challenges societal norms and brings forth powerful stories on the big screen. Her passion and creativity are truly commendable!