Al Shahroura, one of Ramadan's much-awaited TV series, finally wrapped filming this week.
Based on the life of legendary Lebanese singer and actress Sabah, Al Shahroura stars Carole Samaha in the lead role — her first major foray into small screen.
The singer-actress has enjoyed a hugely successful career with the release of several albums, as well as other roles, including starring in the play Zenobia that ran in Dubai four years ago.
However, there is no doubt that Al Shahroura will introduce Samaha to an even bigger audience considering the series has been snapped up by some major Egyptian and Pan-Arab television networks.
To celebrate the end of shooting, Samaha attended a press conference in Cairo this week to talk about the project.
Excerpt from the interview:
Were you hesitant about portraying such a well-known figure in your first television role?
Of course, I was. Sabah is a legend and her shoes are hard to fill. However, after reading the script, I couldn't put it down, and realised it would be terrible to turn down such an amazing role. I think this series is a great opportunity to introduce Sabah to younger generations, for them to learn about such a wonderful artist. I hope I make her proud.
You are known as a singer. How was it going into TV?
Acting is not a strange experience because I actually studied directing and acting, but I do admit that since I agreed to do the series last August, I haven't had much sleep. I wanted to do my best in this role.
The project is a joint Lebanese-Egyptian one. How did you find that?
It is great to have a joint effort and it is important, especially at current times. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting and working with a host of fantastic Egyptian actors and it was great to catch up with some great Lebanese colleagues as well.
What time in Sabah's life do you cover in the series?
I play Sabah from the age of 17 until the age of 78, so it was very challenging, because there are times when she has the Lebanese accent, at other times she would adopt the Egyptian dialect in her work, plus Sabah is known for changing up looks and style constantly. On the same day, I would film five scenes - all during very different times of her life - so in a way, it was very hard to keep up with the different ages.
Sabah has married seven times, which out of her husbands do you prefer now, having starred opposite their characters?
The closest to my heart has to be the great Egyptian actor Rushdy Abaza — even though their marriage lasted for 24 hours!
Finally, you were offered to portray Asmahan in another TV drama prior to being offered the role of Sabah in Al Shahroura. But you declined. What was the reason behind this?
I was offered the role of Asmahan yes, but it's just one of those things that didn't work out. The reason was certainly not a financial one. I regretted it, but then when I was offered the role of Sabah, I felt that things worked out for the best, and now I don't regret my decision.
Review: Sameer wa Shaheer wa Baheer
Some films should never be released. Or made for that matter. One of these is the ridiculous Sameer wa Shaheer wa Baheer, one of last Eid's Egyptian movie releases that ended up being a complete flop.
Featuring Ahmad Fahmy, Chico, and Hesham Maged, this "comedy" — and we use that term loosely — is based on a dumbed down version of the Hollywood film Back to the Future. Only set in the 1970s. And to make matters worse, the script isn't any good either.
Here, Fahmy plays a pilot who recalls his youth when he was a handsome young pilot who could get whatever he wanted and date whoever he desired. He tells the story of how he dates three beautiful ladies at the same time only for them to fall pregnant at the same time and give birth on the same day. Predictably, the sons are called Sameer, Shaheer and Baheer. And the rest of the film is your opportunity to learn more about them. If you really want to.
Khalid Vs Tamer
Khalid Selim has revealed that he is not a fan of Tamer Hosny. His work, that is. In an interview with MBC, Selim stated that he would be too embarrassed to take his fiancée to watch a film starring his Egyptian counterpart as most of Hosny's songs have sexual connotations. Selim added he liked Hosny's compositions, but did not like his style of singing as they did not suit traditional Arab customs.
Selim insisted that it was not a personal attack, but merely an opinion about Hosny's work.
Sherine's secret is out
Sherine Reda is reported to have secretly married Jamal Mubarak, son of former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.
The Egyptian actress, who was previously married to singer Amr Diab, was married to Mubarak from 1998 to 2005, and although this was known by close friends, the marriage remained a secret due to the power Mubarak had during his father's regime.
Reports are also stating that the marriage ended following the intervention of Mubarak's mother, Suzanne, who ordered her son to end the marriage and concentrate on his politcal career.
Star academy update
At the time of going to press, tabloid! is unable to confirm who has been nominated for eviction from Star Academy 8 this Friday as the students were yet to be announced. But we have a feeling Layan might be one of the students up for the chop.
Last weekend, Layan along with Ahmad and Abdul Salam faced the public vote, with Egyptian Ahmad being saved, and the students having to choose between Abdul Salam and Layan. Despite receiving only 2 per cent of the public vote, Layan was saved by the students. But rather than being grateful for being saved, Layan decided to get all dramatic and have a go at the rest of the students for saving her.
Meanwhile, competition is really hotting up and Mohammad Dadouk is emerging as one student to look out for. Last week, he was chosen as the top student of the week, beating Sarah and Nesma to win $5,000 (Dh 18,364). Could this year's winner be male again? Watch this space.
