The film “Hub El Banat” (Girls’ Romance) has added a lot of success to Egyptian actress Laila Elwi’s acting career, and has led a number of producers and directors to rush to her doorsteps with new film offers. The latest offer the actress has received is a leading role as Sajida, the wife of former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein, in the new movie “Nisaa Babel” (Women of Babbel) written by Tawfiq Ahmad.
According to the UAE based, Al Bayan, Laila has strongly refused to accept the role saying that she will not involve herself in any film opposing or supporting Saddam Hussein at the current time. She added that film writers should avoid rushing to conclusions of situations that are happening in the region, adding that in the film the role of Sajida portrays a very negative character of the wife of Saddam and shows no positive aspects.
Laila called on all Egyptian actresses to turn down the role if they are offered to them and not accept under any circumstance. She added that an acceptance by the actual Sajida must be given before making such a movie that gives her such a bad image.
Madkour Thabet, member of the Egyptian Censorship Committee, has up to this moment denied receiving any new film script that deals with the life of the former president of Iraq. He added that the committee will not under any circumstance upon receiving the script agree to such a film that tackles the lives of people who are fighting against US invasion of their country. Thabet stressed that people should not condemn a woman for the mere fact that she is the wife of a former president, whose country has been overtaken by invaders.
Elwi is currently shooting the scenes for her upcoming new TV drama series "Imra'a Wa Thalath Wujooh" (A Woman with Three Faces) under the direction of Sami Mohammad Ali. It has been revealed that the series budget reached over seven million Egyptian pounds and from that Laila receives a wage of 35 thousand Egyptian pounds for each episode she is in, a price that is considered to be among the highest for actors.
The drama is to enter the upcoming Ramadan (Muslims fasting month) Marathon for TV dramas, in which production companies race to making the best series that will gain a large number of viewers. Elwi's series has already been sold to be aired on 15 different TV channels from around the Arab world.
In the series, Laila plays the role of a successful businesswoman who reaches the top of the ladder. While on top she suddenly decides to change her life and reorganize her priorities. She attempts to get support from her husband in her new decision, but he refuses making her begin her road on her own. Egyptian actor Hussein Fahmi, Mahmoud Qabeel, Jamal Ismail, Ola Ghanem, and Izzat Abu Ouf costar in the series with Laila.
Earlier this year, Elwi denied circulating rumors of her engagement to TV announcer Mu’taz Damardash and stressed he is only a good friend. Laila confirmed that Mu’taz had married for the second time only two months ago.
Rumors had it the single actress had an intimate relationship with the TV announcer after they were seen together in different occasion. Laila said that Mu’taz is just a very good friend and there relationship never exceeded that level.
Elwi had decided after a long absence to return to the theater stage and TV this season. Her first performance will be for a play, whose name has not been revealed, beginning end of January. Laila will also be taking part in a new TV series currently being written by screenwriter Wahid Hamid called “Bint Meen Fi Masr” (The Daughter of Who in Egypt).
Laila had expressed her disappointment for not completing the film “Bahib el Cinema” (I Love the Cinema), costarring Mahmoud Hamida and directed by Osama Fouzy, due to the increasing cost of cinema productions. She added this is the first time in her life that a film production she worked on has been forced to cut short and not completing it. - Albawaba.com
© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
