Egyptian director Essam Al Shammaa has chosen Shireen Rida to star in his new film Al Shater Hassan (Clever Hassan), replacing Gala Fahmi, who has quit acting.
“All the traits of the film’s character are found, to a great extent, in Shireen Ridha, who has made a preliminary agreement to costar in the film,” Shammaa told the London-based daily Al Sharq Al Awsat.
The director added that he was determined to secure Fathi Abdel Wahhab as the film’s star, which would mark the young actor’s debut in a lead role after winning a best supporting actor prize at the national film festival this week for appearing in Film Thakafi (Cultural Film).
The film, scripted by Majidah Khairallah, is about Egypt’s loan sharks. Shooting will begin next September.
The film was until recently delayed due to production problems, including the departure of Fahmi, who claims there has been a conspiracy to undermine the promotion of her latest film, Gala Gala.
Rida is currently filming the movie Alaab Mamnuaa (Forbidden Games) along with Tareq Lutfi, Ahmed Ezz Eddin, Farah and Basem Samra. The film is directed by Amr Bayyumi and was written by Ahmed Hamed.
Ridha’s last appearance on the big screen was in the film Hassan Al Lool along with the renowned actor Ahmed Zaki five years ago - Albawaba.com
