The Egyptian actress Elham Shahin has been bitterly criticized for her role in the movie “Souq Al Mutaah“ (Pleasure Market). In the film, a thirty something girl accepts prostitution as a way of life to get the money necessary to purchase an apartment which would help her get married after she failed to marry a man who has an apartment.
“I do not care for the criticism because I am not the one who wrote the story. My capability of performing the role is a credit for me as an artist,” the actress told Associated Press.
More, she believes that movie would make a change in the society, but jealousy of her success might be behind the attack.
“The film teaches the viewers many lessons, but the campaign against it has come as result of the huge audience who attended it in the first weeks of screening,” she claimed, describing the film as a splendid symphony which she costarred with Mahmoud Abdul Aziz.
“Had the film been weak regarding in the screenplay, performance or direction, it would not have been chosen to represent Egypt in the forthcoming Cairo International Film Festival. The selection of the film by a committee consisting of the best critics to represent Egypt in an international festival is in itself sufficient evidence of the value and quality of the film. This is in addition to the acting award which Mahmoud Abdul Aziz has won for his role in the film,” Elham has told reporters.
She added “our audience is very emotional and likes to see me playing ideal parts but I reject repetition which would render me boring.”
“I have delight in performing contradictory roles: at one time I am bad-mannered girl and a farmer, or an aristocratic girl at other times …I felt very happy when the audience applauded for me when I was shot and killed in the movie “Al Qatl Al Laziz” (Delicious Killing) in which I played the part of an evil woman and a drug trafficker. The audience’s applause means that I succeeded by making the viewers hate me.”
She said that the same happened when Souq Al Mutaah was screened, questioning whether the nature of the role in a conservative society was behind the attack on her – Albawaba.com
