I have rejected many works because quality is important to me, not quantity

Actress Sulaf Fawakherji has long disappeared from Egyptian art works, having participated in many Syrian and Arab works in the past years, but her presence at the activities of the 44th session of the Cairo International Film Festival made the media try to find out if her presence in Egypt was an indication of her return to work in an Egyptian television drama. In this context, the Syrian actress confirmed in an interview with Al-Arabiya.net that she fell in love with Egyptian cinema when she was 8 years old, revealing that she will be participating in a series of Egyptian dramas next Ramadan.

You have recently been awarded at numerous festivals. How about that?

Indeed, at the International Author Film Festival, which was held at the Mohammed V Theater in Rabat, I was honored for my uniqueness in my songs and my closeness to Arab and Moroccan audiences in particular. I was delighted to be honored among a number of prominent names in drama, theater and film. I was also honored at the Diyafa Festival in Dubai, in its sixth session, which bore the name of the great and dear artist, “Ward Al-Jazaeryia”. Paying tribute is gratitude, respect, love and responsibility, and I hope to live up to that responsibility which grows day by day.

Tell us about your participation in the Cairo Film Festival

The directorate of the festival invited me and I am pleased with the development of the organization in the 44th session, headed by the artist Hussein Fahmy, and at the festival we found his artistic moves and creative ideas. He always advocates for order and for the festival to appear honorable to Egypt in front of the world, because it is one of the oldest festivals in the world, as it dates back to the seventies of the last century. In fact, I am happy to have been invited by artist Hussein Fahmy and festival director Amir Ramses. This festival is constantly evolving and excelling in each session compared to the previous one. This course was organized differently, because we found Hussein Fahmy’s special note. In fact, I like to watch movies and attend various seminars that help me develop my cinematic thinking.

How do you feel about the Cairo Festival?

The festival is no different from international festivals because it accurately and systematically applies the standards, and each festival has a special nature due to the nature of the country, its customs, traditions and culture and that is the only difference. I followed many cinematographic works that participated in the festival, especially the film “Jalal El-Din”. I am inclined to films that embody Sufi life with the presence of a plot of excitement and drama, such as this in this film, which embodied the life of Moroccans in a peculiar way. The interaction with this work was shown to those present and the audience after the performance.

You had a statement that was perceived as offensive to Egyptian actresses. How about that?

There is a big misunderstanding here, because I have never insulted Egyptian actresses, but this question caused a big attack on me. And the question I was asked had nothing to do with Egyptian actresses, not remotely, and the question was deleted and did not appear in the first place. I was said to have stated on one of the shows that if I had concentrated on my work, “I would have kept the Egyptian actresses at home.” I apologized on one of the shows for this misunderstanding and tried to explain that there was a misunderstanding. The text of the question I was asked was: “After the Asmahan series, you left and other actresses came and put the Slavs on the shelf. What is your response to this?” That was the text of the question, and the Egyptian actresses had nothing to do with it. And I apologized on the show two years ago to people who misunderstood me. The announcer who interviewed me apologized and said that “Sulaf did no harm to anyone”.

What is the reason for your rejection of many works in the past period?

Indeed, I have turned down many works of art that have been offered to me, and the reason for this is that I care about quality, not quantity. My rejection of featured artwork comes from my desire to diversify the works I present to the public. , and my desire not to repeat what I have said. It is easy for an artist to be present on the art scene and participate in many works, but it is difficult for an artist to have a great influence on the consciousness of the audience, and to create a special status and impression among viewers.

Who is the Egyptian actress you wish to work with?

There are many artists and big names that I want to work with, and it is difficult to narrow down one name among Egyptian artists.

Are there preparations for your participation in Egyptian works in the coming period?

God willing, soon.. There are several texts of Egyptian works that I am currently reading. I believe that Egypt will have the largest share of art in the coming period. I intended to participate in one of the Egyptian films, but I apologized for that, but now I am preparing for a drama work, and I will not reveal the details of it for now.

Sulaf Fwakhergy

What is the truth about getting a Palestinian passport?

Obtaining Palestinian citizenship is a great honor for me and another kind of tribute to my artistic career, because it has unique symbolism and means a lot to me, and we were brought up to love Palestine and we learned that it is a part of us and within us. I always say: “In Syria, it would be difficult for us to be Syrians if Palestine were not part of us.” I always belong to Palestine and the Palestinians. Visiting Palestine was one of my lifelong dreams because it is a part of me, even the first film I made, Cherry Letters, was about the Golan Heights and Palestine. Besides, much of my writing and much of my life revolves around Palestine. Since childhood I dreamed of owning an “invisibility cap” so that I could use it “to liberate Palestine”.

Your last work was the second part of the “Kandush” series in Syria, what can you tell us about it?

Rather, it is one of the works of the Levantine setting, written by Hossam Tahsin Bey, directed by Samir Hussein, and produced by Maher Barghali. I was happy to work in it with the artist Ayman Zidan and embodied the character of “Yasmina”, a widow who lives in a conservative neighborhood and is exposed to many difficulties in life. The events of the series take place within the framework of the social drama of the 1930s, and shed light on the people of the ancient city of the Levant and their stories and tales.

What new business are you preparing in Syria?

After completing the task of technical supervision of the realization of the film “Kazy Rose”, which is the first directorial experience of my ex-husband Wael Ramadan in the cinema, I am about to enter my second directorial experience in the world of film, because there is an old project that connects me with the writer Samer Muhammad Ismail.