Farah has a lot to say, and she does just that in an interview with an UAE based daily.
Her life is like a running train; it stops only at her favorite sites.
Her beginnings were in Jordan, then a small stint in Kuwait then Egypt; the land of opportunity.
She studied fashion design in New York but found no rest until she settled in Egypt and was known as the first ever-Jordanian movie costume designer.
However, that was only the beginning for the young girl.
In no time, director Daoud Abdul Sayed decided to place all bets on her ‘acting talents’ and he cast her opposite Ahmad Zaki in the film Ard El Khawf (Land of Fear).
Her star shot straight up from there and surprisingly; to her at least, it is still going strong.
Following is an interview conducted by Al Khaleej newspaper.
Q: Despite your Arab Bedouin origins, you come across as an ‘American actress’ in language, emotion and mentality?
A: I am very proud of my origins; especially since I belong to the ‘Al Ziyoud’ tribe in Jordan. I am not American, except in my drive to respect time and the art of acting. Aside from this I am an ardent fan of the East.
Q: How were your beginnings in Egypt?
A: I was living with my family in Kuwait, then we came to Cairo. In the beginning I was confused between studying medicine or chemistry at the American University in Cairo. But, I chose to be independent at work and travel. I chose New York and studied Fashion Design. I lived there for only 4 years. I was actually offered to work in one of the best Designer houses in the world and I also worked with [Emanuel] Ungaro, and studied all the science of fashion design. I am now sure that New York and not Paris, is the capital of fashion. Between NY and Atlanta, I lived and learned, I dreamt and was greatly influenced by American cinema.
Meanwhile, my younger sister was studying Political Science in Alabama.
When I came back, I found my first job working in the movie Al Batal (The Hero), where I met the Egyptian Star, Ahmad Zaki. The next time I saw him, I was his acting co-star.
Q: Who chose you, the producer or the star himself?
A: I was chosen by the great director Daoud Abdul Sayed. He actually found me on the cover of a magazine!
Q: Therefore we can say that the media has a big role in your acting career. So why is it that you are very weary of interviews?
A: I do not like to be ‘used goods’ in the market or a ‘Paper Star.’ I do not like fame without cause.
Q: Your drive to get into everything around you at work gives you an image opposite to what you are. Aren’t you afraid of people’s misunderstandings?
A: It is a shame that this always happens; especially with those who deal with me for the first time.
Q: You worked with international Fashion Houses, what is the difference between models here and models there?
A: I worked with Ungaro, Nina Rici and Lancome and I still work with some other international houses. The difference is the ‘feeling’ of the importance of the model. Some people here do not really pay attention to the way the model looks, or her education. But over there the model is very aware of her appearance, charisma, presence and education.
Q: In all honesty, who is the Arab model who came closest to the international standard of models?
A: The Lebanese model because the Lebanese woman is an artist by nature.
Q: You have undergone the experiences of marriage, divorce, travel then fame. After all this you come back home at night to an empty house and you are surrounded by your pets… Does the fame of a woman delete the possibility of a partner?
A: Not at all. But a man in my life is a hard feat. But you never know… maybe fate will throw one on me. At the end of the day, I am a woman who needs warmth and love.
Q: In your diary, what names do you write the word ‘admiration’ under when it comes to the world of modeling?
A: Yasmine Jouri, a Pakistani model and Cindy Crawford.
Q: How about in the world of music?
A: Angham
Q: An actress on her way to stardom?
A: Mona Zakka
Q: The most elegant male singer?
A: Amr Diab
Q: What is your most important of dreams?
A: I dream of designing clothes, and directing. Because the director is really the hero of the movie.
Q: Do you like appearing on all covers?
A: I do not have faith in stardom and fame through colored paper.
Q: What would be your advice on the best way to become an actress?
A: Take care of your weight, the camera believes nothing but your figure. – Albawaba.com.
© 2000 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
