Egyptian renowned director Yousef Shahin expressed his sorrow over the terrorist attacks in the US reiterating his dislike of the American administration despite his respect to the American people, according to the London based daily Al Sharq Al Awsat.
Shahin, who is accompanying the Tunisian singer Latifa also expressed resentment over the celebrations by some people and told a press conference in Beirut, “we should prove that Arabs are not savage and make the public opinion understand that we are against the Administration policy but not the innocent people.”
The director said that he does not write the role for a certain actor because he is sure that there are enough talents in the Arab World where he can find the proper person, as is the case with Latifa. He added that he had got fed up with the so-called genius cinema generation monopolizing over all roles despite the presence of young terrific actors whom he selects for his films.
Shahin blasted those who criticize his films describing them as “donkeys” because as he claimed they did not understand what they said. He did not say that his films are so complicated to the extent that the audience finds it difficult to understand.
“I have become 70 years old, which means that what I did was correct because I benefited from the freedom available to me to make my films,” said Shahin adding that “the press has bothered me by demanding me to be more realistic despite their ignorance of some art terms in the cinema industry.”
For her part, Latifa expressed her delight with her cinema debut along with Yousef Shahin whom she described as “real and honest mirror of the Arab World.” She reiterated that she was not afraid of her cinema debut because her main aim was to send the actual message of her film in showing the image of the Arab-sacrificing actress. “I have confidence in Yousef Shahin and ready to play any role he may ask me to play even the role of a grandmother,” Latifa added asserting that she did not act in the same degree she reacted instinctually with the role chosen by the director -- Albawaba.com
