A new and different step, indeed it is more like a move that has its own details for him, that is to be a member of the jury of the “International Critics’ Week” competition at the Cairo International Film Festival, which is the only one in the Middle East that it contains that global quality that places it among the ranks of international festivals, such as Cannes, Berlin and Venice. Although it is not the first time for him as a member of the jury, as he has participated in many of them before, but this time he will have a special and different taste, which was confirmed by the artist Karim Kassem in his interview with “Al Arabiya .net “, mainly because it will be a different move for him. In his artistic career, and in his ability to absorb diverse cinematic details with perspectives on a broader and deeper scale than his participation in his film “The Hole” last year in the festival’s short film competition.
Karim Qassem
* Tell us about getting the idea of your participation as a jury member at the Cairo Festival this year?
** It was a big surprise for me and I was happy that they chose me.It is a great honor for any young artist to attend a festival of this size with one of his films, like what happened to me last year when I participated in the film “The Hole” in the short film competition, which is my first production experience. . The film received positive reviews from critics and audiences, as it was a good dream even though I didn’t receive any awards. The idea of participating in itself is a great honor, but this year it is completely different by participating as a member of the jury in the “Competition of Critics’ Week”. When I got a call from the festival management, I was overjoyed and proud.
Is the idea of participating as a jury member different from being an actor?
** It certainly is different, as my work as a member of the jury makes me benefit from the experiences I gain from watching different films from many countries with their multiple cultures, as well as sessions that include the jury whose discussions are useful for opening new horizons in the thinking and seeing works differently, therefore, I benefit from all these experiences in my work as an actor.
* I participated in the international film “Sawah”, which participated in many festivals, so we talked about it
** The film has participated in more than 50 festivals around the world, has won more than 20 awards since the start of its presentation last May, and has been screened in 50 countries in the Middle East, Central and Eastern Europe. Europe, Luxembourg, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Austria and Switzerland on NETFLIX, in 6 different languages in the film. I was delighted with that experience with director Adolphe El-Assal and Canadian writer Dennis Foon, and have acted alongside a large number of stars from around the world.
Karim Qassem
* Tell us about this movie and what made you excited about it?
** I was thrilled with the film because of its history and also for working with Adolf, as he is an Egyptian director who has lived abroad in many countries, which has given him many different experiences that have made his films a special taste. Who introduced me through the movie “Sawah”, in which I introduce the character “Samir” who loves music and tries to reach his art to the masses, then travels to participate in an international DJ contest, but loses his possessions and his passport on the way and he is held as a refugee in Luxembourg, then exposed to many adventures.
* You were recently shown the movie “Your Luck Today” … What character do you embody through it?
** During the film I introduce the character of “Omar”, a journalist who works for Digital Magazine and is interested in nightlife. Between day and night, Omar’s luck changes and he experiences an unexpected adventure. The events of the film take place in one night, where many dangers and adventures are faced by him to save himself and his friends, and in fact I really liked the character because he is interesting. The pace of the film is fast, with a light comedy that made it different. I’ve been happy with the reactions I’ve received so far, as the film is filled with excitement and distinctive characters.
Karim Qassem
* What is the similarity between you and “Omar”?
** There were a lot of things in common between us, as he works in an online magazine and specializes in covering nighttime parties in Cairo. She is single, lives in Maadi and loves to cook, until she meets “Laila” presented by Hoda Al-Mufti, where she has played a truly wonderful role and presents a personal The strong girl and the leader in her grandfather’s day, and that’s what attracted the hero to her, and every man loves a brave girl, of course. And there are surprises in the film and I don’t want to burn the events, but we find that “Omar” is not as innocent and easy as the audience imagines.
How did you get this movie? Is it different from the comedies we see on the cinema screen?
** The film is a comedy in classification, but there is no ease in its presentation, and it is not just an if, but all the laughs are beautifully drawn and developed, which will be heard by all who watch the film in theaters. In fact, when I was introduced to the script of the film, long ago I was looking for a different film, and all the films that were shown to me were very gloomy, and I was wondering where are the light films that appeal to young people? Until the producer sent me the sheet for the movie “Your Luck Today” and the first copy of the work was a bit obscure. But the basis of the work is good, and I told him that I want a light opera for “light” young people, and I miss this in the cinema to have a full cinematic meal. And we sat together from 2021 until November 2022 and continued to develop the scenario, and in fact what we wanted happened. Mohamed Mawla and Taha El-Desouky (Laurel and Hardy the two Egyptians) took the film to another area and a new laugh developed.
* The film was played by many young men, right?
** The young people in the film are very experienced and have taken the comedy out of the world of the characters. The film, as I confirmed, has no diarrhea and not only effeminate, but all the laughs are beautifully drawn and developed. And we have to say hello to all the people who worked on the film, and I was lucky enough to have worked with these artists. The pace of the film was fast, I was just a cog at work, and in the other we present a collective artwork and in the film we are all heroes, and I feel my luck in life is good.
* What’s new in you?
** I produced a short film called “Madonna” starring Abdelaziz Makhyoun, and I am happy and excited for this experience.
