Menna Shalabi described her role in the film Nawara, which earned her the Best Actress award at the 12th Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF), as the role of her lifetime and one of the most important artistic endeavors she has taken throughout her career.

The film is written and directed by Hala Khalil, presenting a story that takes place Nawara is set in the wake of the 2011 revolution, centering on a woman in her twenties who works as a housemaid at a villa in a luxury compound.

As the owners flee the politically unstable country, she invites her fiancé over, and together they enjoy a taste of the life of the rich and famous.

In an interview on Saheba El-Saada television program on CBC channel, presented by Esaad Younes, Shalaby recounted how she got a phone call from director Hala Khalil proposing the film’s script.

“I liked it so much that it took me just 90 minutes to read through it,” Shalaby said on the programme, adding that she immediately called Khalil to accept the role, and even offered to produce it herself, before producer Safy El-Din Mahmoud eventually did.

Shalaby commended Khalil as a very sensitive author and director who depicts everything in detail. The actress further expressed how the film was made with a lot of passion and good spirit.

Stars alongside Shalabi in Nawara include Mahmoud Hemeda, Sherine Reda, Ahmed Rateb, and Amir Salah Eddin.

The film premiered in Egypt as it opened the 5th edition of the Luxor African Film Festival (LAFF), which runs between 17 and 23 March.

Nawara premiered in the Arab region at DIFF, and was one of five Egyptian films in competition for the Muhr Awards at the festival.

The film is scheduled for release in Egyptian mainstream cinemas in March.

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