‘I Chose to Stay Away from Cinema,’ Dalia el-Behery Tells Asharq Al-Awsat

Egyptian actress Dalia el-Behery said the “My Very Beautiful Lady” play, which she is set to perform at the National theater during the winter season, has been her dream since she read the original novel in her childhood. During an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Behery explained that the new show differs from the play starred by the couple Fouad el-Mohandes and Shwikar. She also expressed her joy for partaking in the jury of the Feature Film Competition at the Casablanca Arab Film Festival, and noted that she looks forward to the 5th season of the comic series “Diaries of a Very Angry Wife”.

· How do you assess your recent participation in the jury of the Feature Film Competition at the Casablanca Arab Film Festival?

This is the first time I attend this festival upon the invitation of its director Fatima al-Nawali, a very respectful person who’s passionate of her work. I love the Moroccan cinema, and was thrilled with this participation, which was not my first experience as a juror, it’s the tenth maybe. I already partook in juries of the Cairo International Film Festival twice, in Damascus festival before it suspends, in Morocco’s Salé festival, and Aswan International Women's Film Festival.
· As an actress, how did you benefit from these participations?

They were beneficial on all levels. They allowed me to watch non-commercial movies that are screened only in festivals, meet young talents in all fields and cinema figures that I can only see in such events. In Casablanca, I met Palestinian director Rashid Masharawi, and Mohammad Kiblawi, director of Malmo Arab film Festival. These festivals are also beneficial on the artistic and human levels and can open new horizons.

· In your opinion, does a good movie has specific features?

A good movie gets everybody’s applaud. As a jury, we all agreed on the winning movies, mainly the Jordanian film “Farha”, which won the best film award for highlighting a humanitarian cause that touched us all with great acting and amazing cinematography. A good movie should be presented with an esteemed cinematic language that focuses on the image and performance more than the script, and this is why the film should be coherent and attract the spectators from the beginning until the end.

· You had many successful leading roles on the big screen including “The Embassy Next Door”, “Mohami Khulaa”, and “Harim Karim”. Why did you step away from cinema?

Because I respect the audience, myself, and my short journey during which I presented 12 movies. I don’t plan to partake in works that underestimate me, or make the audience respect me less. Recently, I was offered roles that don’t resemble me. I am not used to act just for appearances, or to make money. My roles should be valuable additions to my careers, and make me more proud of my work. Some don’t care about these things, and some have to accept such roles for living, but I am grateful I can say no.
· You started the rehearsals for “My Very Beautiful Lady” which you will perform on the national theater…what does this show represent to you?

I am thrilled to stand on the stage of the national theater, it will be a huge moment for me as an actress. As for the play, I loved it since I was a kid, we had the playscript of George Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion in my father’s library, and I always dreamed of performing it after I became an actress. Director Hassan Rizk offered me this role in his new play, and I always wished I could work with him because I am sure he can bring new energies in me as an actress.

· Does this mean that we will be watching another version of “Sodfa Baadeshi”?

No, “My Very Beautiful Lady” is not related to “Sodfa Baadeshi”, but it involves the same theme because they are both inspired by Shaw’s Pygmalion. A group of amazing actors will be performing the play alongside me in a comic, musical frame composed by musician Mahmoud Talaat. Luckily, I met Shwikar once, in the premiere of “First Year of Scam”. I sat next to her, and when she watched the movie, she told me that I have a Spanish style and hailed my performance.

· You made four seasons of the series “Diaries of a Very Angry Wife”. What about the fifth?

I heard of a fifth season, and I look forward to it. This series is one of the dearest works to my heart. It could continue for more seasons because it involves non-stop developments. The audience loved it, and it helped me gain more fans, especially among the younger generations who watched it.

· You started your journey as a TV personality, and many actors and actresses have worked as TV presenters after acting. Do you consider returning to TV?

I don’t mind the idea if it would bring me an added value. I presented all kinds of programs (politics, entertainment, and children content…). The most important thing is to make something new. I was recently offered to present a program, but it was aimed at making profit, and meant nothing to me.

· As a former Miss Egypt, how do you see beauty?

Beauty is a combination of factors including the physical features, classiness, culture, and intelligence. I partook many times as a juror in Miss Egypt, but I don’t understand why we call it “Beauty Queen”. The winner is “the lady of Egypt”, which means she’s the one with the perfect Egyptian characteristics, including the Egyptian look, fitness, respect of traditions, and culture. The good look is not everything. There are so many beautiful women who lose their beauty once they speak, or beautiful but lack intelligence.

When wildfires destroyed parts of Los Angeles this week, real estate agent Jenna Cooper started asking friends for clothing and other items to help people in need.

Her request spread quickly through a network of powerful women. Actors including Sharon Stone and Halle Berry responded, providing sweaters, shoes, clothing, handbags, belts, pajamas and more pulled from their own collections.

"I'm packing up my entire closet," Berry wrote on Instagram. "If you live in the Southern California area, I urge you to do the same. This is something we can do right now."

Cooper, who also runs a home goods store called +COOP, cleared half the space to create a pop-up shopping experience for displaced people to take what they need. Many Angelenos lost entire homes in the fires, which were still burning on Friday.

Stone circulated information about the donations on social media, which helped attract publicity. She and her sister, Kelly Stone, contributed clothing, bedding and more, and Kelly volunteered to assist shoppers.

"The first thing they need when they come in the store is a hug," Kelly Stone said. She then said to shoppers, "Show me pictures of yourself, how do you dress?" so she could direct them to sweaters or trench coats that reflected their style.

At the store on Friday, a therapy dog named Jackie Robinson greeted people at the door. Inside, they looked through racks of dresses and coats, stacks of denim, shelves of shoes and baskets of handbags.

Offerings ranged from packages of fresh underwear from Target to new or lightly used Zara dresses and some Gucci and Ferragamo shoes in the mix.

Cooper said she received donations and volunteer support from power players across Los Angeles, including actors, executives, lawyers, restaurant owners and moms. Her network of real estate agents in New York was sending gift cards, she said.

One Hollywood stylist came with two large bags of items from her closet and was enlisted to help organize the store for shoppers over the weekend.

"I know people who have lost everything, and even people I don't know I'm devastated for," said Lisa Cera, who has worked for celebrities including the Kardashians and Lenny Kravitz. "I decided I'm just going to bring whatever I can."

Ellen Bennett was choosing items for her 72-year-old mother, who lost her home in the Eaton fire on the east side of Los Angeles. Bennett said she selected "the basics," including socks, sweaters, pants, a jacket and a pair of running shoes.

"She left her house with her dog and a bag and just a few things. She thought she would come back," Bennett said of her mother, adding, "It's so special and beautiful that in this time of tragedy, people are rising up and helping each other."

Store owner Cooper said she helped a man find a pair of sneakers so he could run on the beach, something he had not done since the fires erupted. She said she was overwhelmed by the response to her idea to help.

"This is a city of love, and everybody wants to support each other," Cooper said.

‘I Chose to Stay Away from Cinema,’ Dalia el-Behery Tells Asharq Al-Awsat