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‘I refuse to play a superficial role’

You won the best actress Muhr award in 2007 for your role in Taht Qaf. How did it feel toreceivethis recognition?

I was happy about the award for my performance but the most important thing was that the message in the movie was appreciated. I didn’t act in this movie just to show my performance, but to show the important message of peace. When I received the prize, I was very touched, but not happy due to the circumstances and theme of the film.

How was the experience of shooting the film?

It was very hard for me as well as the rest of the crew. Normally films use fake sets, decorations, and people, but in this movie everything was so real. It was hard because as an actress, I am playing a part, but as a person all I could see was real people crying, dead bodies, and the smell of destruction. It was very real.

Many have tried to capture Lebanon’s turbulent history. What did you want portrayed differently?

We wanted an end to the war because we were hurt as people, from a human side. My main point was that war doesn’t lead to anything except destruction and death and many bad things. We can solve problems without war because we are not animals. Animals kill because they cannot express themselves, but we are intelligent and killing people is a beastly thing. It is not just about the 2006 war in Lebanon, it is about war around the world.

Can you tell us what it was like filming in 2006 while the war was still raging on?

We wanted people to see what was really happening in the south of Lebanon because every time it was shown in the media, they only broadcasted what they wanted to show. We once entered a school and we met women who wanted to tell us their stories. The media wasn’t showing the world all the dead bodies or telling us how a father felt when he saw his son die in front of him. They didn’t show the human side of the war. The film was technically fiction - a story about a real mother searching for her child, but we used all the real elements around us.

What effect did you want your role to have on the international community?

I do what I want now and say what needs to be said. I focused on the message and character in the film. I refuse to act or play a superficial role like the beautiful simple girl with nothing to say. I focus on the story, the directing and everything else. I’m becoming much more mature as a person and in my work now.

As an actress, do you ever find it difficult choosing the right roles?

In Lebanon, many of our filmmakers work with French and English productions. Money is always our problem here, because we spend all of it on video clips and plastic singers. Our people want superficial girls with plastic surgery, and they are not interested to spend even half of that amount on good movies that reflect society. Festivals give prizes to scriptwriters because they are encouraging them. Film Festivals are the best way to encourage young filmmakers.

What would be your dream role to play?

I am actually working on a theatrical play for next year in which I am playing eight characters in one hour with dancing and singing. This will be my dream role.

What made you want to be in films? What inspires you?

When I was 18, I made the decision to act for the superficial reason that I liked people watching and paying attention to me. Later on I became more mature and I realised I wanted people to see me because I had many things to say. You have to shock people, so I like to show what’s going wrong with society. I like to observe all the details in life, and I have many personalities so I need to put this energy somewhere.

As an Arab actress, what advice would you give to women entering the industry?

Don’t be afraid of showing your true feelings because people need to see this on stage and screen. They need you to believe in what you are doing so don’t act superficial. Understand what you are saying and be spontaneous and courageous.

kadry@khaleejtimes.com