Muhammad Qenawi (Cairo)
The star Hussein Fahmy said that digital platforms are witnessing a remarkable development, and we must be prepared to keep up with this development, while preserving our culture and identity. He believes that the future belongs to them without a doubt, and that technology began with the theater, then opera, and then cinema, which has witnessed a state of great progress and possibilities. It is enormous and developed at the highest levels, which is reflected in the final form of the films.
Strange cultures
Hussein Fahmy explained to Al-Ittihad that, in his opinion, watching movies in the future will be through wristwatches. He believes that some platforms export strange cultures to us, and promote policies that we must confront through the films they present. He does not mind participating in a work that is shown on platforms, provided that the idea, quality, and story are provided.
He pointed out that improving cinematic production requires reconsidering three important axes: art, industry and trade, and none of them should be ignored, because the focus has been on the commercial aspect only, and attention should be paid to the two axes of art and industry. He expressed his wish to present the character of Khedive Ismail, even though the role had been offered to him before and he had rejected it because he did not like the text. His submission required that he write the true history of Egypt in that period.
“The Baron Returns”
Hussein Fahmy is waiting for the short series “The Return of the Baron” to be shown, consisting of 15 episodes dominated by mystery. He said that he prefers short series because life circumstances have changed, and because long works are no longer attractive except in the narrowest limits, and there are works that have reached 7 episodes, and the story of the series is I liked him. He plays the character of Azzam Al-Rashidi, nicknamed “The Baron,” who returns after many years to reopen his old hotel that was neglected. He suffers from obsessions from the past and is exposed to many situations. He gathers a number of young people and helps them achieve their dreams. In the coming period, Hussein Fahmy will screen the film “The Atheist,” written by Ibrahim Issa and directed by Mando El Adl, and it discusses a serious issue and a modern topic.
500 festival
Regarding the role that art festivals play in identifying new cultures, he considered that the arts are the soft power that influences the formation of the conscience of age groups, and that the Cairo Film Festival is one of the tools of soft power. He stated that festivals have great value in various fields of arts, and their mission is to showcase all cultures. He talked about the importance of expanding the establishment of festivals that express our culture, and whose activities include showing several films that express our identity, as countries around the world are interested in holding them, so that their number has now reached about 500 festivals, and participation in festivals is considered a positive interaction due to their prominent role in exchanging experiences.
Distinguished course
Hussein Fahmy said: My duties as president of the Cairo International Film Festival did not hinder my work in acting, as my long experience in the field helped me achieve balance, and we are working in full swing as a team to present a distinguished session worthy of the name of Egypt and its artistic history, and I am keen to be present at various international film festivals to learn about them. The latest developments and developments in the artistic scene, in an attempt to provide a hearty meal for the audience and cinema lovers at the festival.
