Ahmad Zaki absent from the private screening of his new movie

Published December 10th, 2002 - 03:00 GMT

Egyptian actor Ahmad Zaki did not make the special screening of his new movie “Ma’ali Al Wazeer” (His Excellency the Minister), without giving any reasons. The screening was viewed by many important political figures in Egypt along with the actors starring in the film.

According to the London based daily, Al Sharq Al Awsat, the 26th Cairo Film Festival drew down its curtains on October 25 with the 'Best Actor' award going to Egyptian star Ahmed Zaki for his role in the movie competing with 21 other movies. Zaki received a standing ovation by the audience as the president of the festival, Sherief Al Shobashi, awarded the star his prize.

For his part, Zaki thanked the festival and the audience, expressing his happiness for the award, being the second such honor for him this month – the first being at the 19th Cartage Film Festival.

The movie depicts the biography of a minister reviewing his sudden ascendancy and his clenching to office, until he is haunted with successive nightmares to the degree that it begins affecting his performance.

Directed by Samir Saif and written by Wahid Hamid, the film also stars Egyptians Lebleba and Hisham Abdul Hamid.

On a different note, known for his outstanding roles as Gamal Abdul Nasser and Anwar Al Sadat, Ahmed was chosen among many to star in a new movie that depicts the life of the legendary singer Abdul Halim Hafiz.

Zaki announced his participation in the film at a press conference held in Tunisia explaining that the movie will only tackle Abdul Halim's personal and human aspect, as opposed to his musical career and its success, Zaki went on an intensive diet to loose 15 kgs to fit the role. – Albawaba.com