The new film Al Abwab Al Moghlaqa (Closed Doors) tackles the Gulf War and the rise of religious fundamentalism through the lens of an adolescent who loses his innocence in rapidly changing surroundings full of oppression, honor, virtue, jealousy and violence.
The Egyptian Association for Film Writers and Critics held a lecture about the film where
Atef Hetata, the director, and Mahmoud Hemeida, the star, took part, according to Arab-celebs.com.
One of the questions raised was, “Did the director want to make a statement when he portrayed a prostitute as wearing hegab (the veil, as required by Islam), while the “good” woman, played by Sawsan Badr, refused wearing the same outfit?”
Hetata answered that he was not directly addressing the topic of hegab, but rather “just wanted to state that some people tend to put on hegab just to avoid falling into problems, and not for religious reasons.”
Hetata was also asked whether he had chosen the cast while writing the script.
The director said he had Hemeida in mind as his first choice.
Another question was about the selection of Ahmed Azmy as a costar.
Hetata said that he had found Azmy very capable, and just the teenager he was looking for.
Hemeida was asked several questions, including one that stated that all the actors were good in the film, except for Hemeida. The actor was asked whether this was the fault of the director.
Hemeida said he would respond in his next film, adding that he respected the viewpoint of film critics. The actor also said he never calculated what he was doing, just did what he was convinced was correct.
Another person asked Hemeida why he, as a “superstar,” accepted small roles.
He answered that he did not look at things from this perspective, of big or small, and that his goal was to work according to his own special terms and methods.
Hemeida was also asked if he had any thoughts about Closed Doors.
He replied that the film was a “heavy” film.
“I just followed the director,” said the star. “I consider myself a tool in the director's hand. After all, the film is the director's film.” – Albawaba.com
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