Egyptian actress Hanan Turk has denied circulating rumors that a dispute brokeout between her and her actress Muna Shalabi during the filming of "Ahla Al Awkat" (The Best of Times). Hanan stressed that the rumor is completely untrue and this is the second film in which no disputes occur between her and a cast member, the first being Sahar AL Laiali.
According to the London based daily, Al Quds Al Arabi, Hanan revealed that she and Muna are close friends and no problems occurred between them throughout the film. Egyptian cinema for the first time since its making witnessed the rise of a new film "Ahla Al Awkat" with an all female cast. The film is a first time experience for Egyptian director Hala Khalil and scenarist Wisam Sulieman.
The film features three lead actresses, who are also good friends in real life. Egyptian actresses Hanan, Muna Shalabi, and Tunisian actress Hind Sabri costar alongside one another in the film.
It was revealed that no males took part in the creation of the film except for the head cameraman and six males who took part in minor roles throughout the film. Hala stressed that the fact that the cast of the film are all females was not a coincidence, for the mere fact that the film revolves around the story of three women who are the best of friends.
The film tackles the idea of how people accept problems they face in society and how they find ways to overcome all obstacles.
Hanan is also taking part in a new film “Dunia”, directed by Lebanese director Josleen Saab, who held up a fence around the filming scene in the middle of the old city of Cairo, to prohibit reporters and journalists from entering and taking photographs on the first day of filming. The movie has been rejected by the Egyptian censorship more than once but the Lebanese director insisted on filming, adding that she is not interested to screen it in the Arab world anymore.
The movie stars Egyptian singer Mohammad Muneer, Fathi Abdul Wahhab and Hanan. The movie revolves around the psychological effects on women who undergo circumcision. Hanan stressed that she consulted religious sources before accepting the part. Some of the filming will take place in Aloqsor, the southern part of Egypt.
Prominent actor Mahmoud Hamida had previously refused to participate in the movie saying that the scenario was [bold]. To everyone's surprise, Muneer accepted to take the role after being away from the cinema for the past seven years. The last film “Al Maseer” (Destiny) he took part in was by prominent Egyptian director Yousef Shahin.
After the singer reached his 25th year in the entertainment business, he decided to enter the acting world once more in the new film “Dunia”, which is written and directed by Josleen Saab. In the film, Mohammad portrays the role of a person who is in love with poetry and singing. Eventually the young man meets a young woman, played by Hanan, who leaves her family to follow her dream of dancing and musical performances in Cairo. –Albawaba.com
© 2004 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
