Speaking on Sunday at the Pyramisa Isis Island Hotel, Alloush expressed her delight at being honoured during the festival’s opening ceremony.
She described the presence of local women in the audience as particularly meaningful:
“Many women from Aswan greet me with ululations and fill the hall with love and warmth. They also filled my heart with joy and gratitude,” she said.
Alloush began by recalling her early passion for directing.
“I loved directing and studied theatre. In fact, I wanted to be a director and worked as an assistant on several projects. I even directed three short films. Acting came into my life by chance, back in Syria—and I just kept evolving year after year.”
Breaking through in Egypt
Although she is now among the best-known actresses in the Arab world, Alloush said she has never sought celebrity status.
“I don’t seek stardom. Acting isn’t a job to me—it’s a passion, a form of self-expression. I like to take things slowly and carefully and choose roles that truly speak to me,” she said, crediting Egyptian director Sherif Arafa for launching her career in Egypt.
Her breakout came with Arafa’s 2009 film Welad El-Am (Escaping Tel Aviv), which starred Karim Abdel Aziz, Mona Zaki, and Sherif Mounir.
“I was hesitant, as it was a big step,” she recalled. “But Sherif Arafa believed in me and convinced me. That film changed everything.”
The role led to further opportunities in major productions such as The Benefit (2012, Sandra Nashaat), Excuse My French (2014, Amr Salama), Hepta (2016, Hady El-Bagoury), The Originals (2017, Marwan Hamed), The Swimmers (2022, Sally El-Hosaini), and Nezouh (2022), a British-Syrian-French drama directed by Soudade Kaadan.
Alloush spoke about working on international productions like The Swimmers, Nezouh, and Wodi Bazi, describing them as formative experiences.
“Each film was like an acting workshop. I worked with different cultures and new ideas. What tied them together was that they were directed by women—each with a unique voice,” she explained.
Acting from the heart
Alloush described her approach to acting as deeply emotional and immersive.
“Some actors wear masks when they perform. I don’t. I put a piece of my soul in every role. I fall in love with the characters I play. I leave something of myself behind in each performance,” she said.
She also spoke about her husband, calling him “my greatest supporter.” Although he could not attend the festival, she said his support was constant.
“I consult him on everything, and he always calms my anxiety. He’s my source of strength and confidence.”
On the future of Egyptian cinema, Alloush stressed the importance of authenticity:
“Egyptian cinema doesn’t need to imitate anyone to go global. It just needs to focus on its own local identity. The more authentic a film is, the closer it gets to international audiences.”
She pointed to Indian cinema as an example, “Look at Bollywood. They became global by being themselves—not by copying others.”
“Some actors wear masks when they perform. I don’t. I put a piece of my soul in every role. I fall in love with the characters I play. I leave something of myself behind in each performance,” she commented.
Personal connection to Aswan
Alloush said the city of Aswan holds special meaning for her, both professionally and personally.
“This city has a very special place in my heart. I got married here years ago. It’s the city of magic and beauty. Every time I come back, I feel that same love again.”
In closing, she reaffirmed her commitment to telling women’s stories through her work:
“I want to carry women’s voices through the roles I play. That’s why I do this.”
9th AIWFF
The Aswan International Women's Film Festival honoured Kinda Alloush alongside actress Lebleba this year.
The 9th edition also pays tribute to legendary singer Um Kolthoum, marking 50 years since passing with a special programme dedicated to her cultural legacy.
The festival’s lineup includes 72 films from 34 countries, covering many women-focused narratives and issues.
Screenings are divided into several competitive sections, including feature films, shorts, films with impact, and Euro-Mediterranean films.
A new South Films segment has also been introduced, with screenings in cinema halls and public gardens.
All events are free to attend and feature musical performances, circus acts, and other creative presentations.
The festival includes screenings, workshops, and seminars.
A key programme is the Nut Forum for Women’s Issues, which addresses topics affecting women in the economic, social, and health sectors.
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