Egypt’s Henedi Reveals Plans for New Movie Shot in Saudi Arabia

Egyptian comedian Mohamed Henedi participates at a seminar held at the Jeddah Book Fair (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Egyptian comedian Mohamed Henedi participates at a seminar held at the Jeddah Book Fair (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Egypt’s Henedi Reveals Plans for New Movie Shot in Saudi Arabia

Egyptian comedian Mohamed Henedi participates at a seminar held at the Jeddah Book Fair (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Egyptian comedian Mohamed Henedi participates at a seminar held at the Jeddah Book Fair (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Egyptian comedian Mohamed Henedi, during a seminar held at the Jeddah Book Fair, revealed that he is preparing for a new movie that will be filmed entirely in Saudi Arabia during the next few months.

Henedi also announced that he will be working on a 25-episode drama series that will start shooting in January 2023. The Egyptian actor said he had a phone call with film writer Medhat El Adl and was informed that the first script of the sequel of the movie “Sa'eedi in the American University” was done.

The movie’s shooting will take place in 2023 as well.

Henedi also praised the Saudi cultural movement and the efforts of the Culture Ministry in promoting cinema and creativity by holding film festivals and attracting major foreign and Arab artists.

According to Henedi, this contributes to refining current talents and highlighting new talents, whether in comedy, horror, or other genres.

In his career, Henedi indicated that he was inspired by Egyptian film actor Naguib el-Rihani. He also expressed his passion for dark comedy that approaches people’s concerns.

Henedi pointed out to the difference between comedians on social media platforms and those who work in the films and series industry.

“The history of comedy is ancient, and it depends on the humor of the people themselves, and in our time, comedy is considered very prosperous due to the large number of situations through which comic scenes are built,” said Henedi at the symposium.

“Comedy has one. It does not differ between societies, but it differs in dialect,” added Henedi.

For his part, Saudi comedian Ibrahem Al Hajjaj pointed to the theater refining the actor.

Al Hajjaj said that the theater is the starting point for artists, and from there they begin their journey towards cinema, television, and digital platforms.

He stated that artistic talents in Saudi Arabia have begun to flourish, due to the prosperity of various cultural bodies.



Virginia Zoo Welcomes Newborn Pygmy Hippopotamus as Year Ends

This photo provided by the Metro Richmond Zoo, shows a pygmy hippo on Dec. 23, 2024, in Moseley, Va. (Metro Richmond Zoo via AP)
This photo provided by the Metro Richmond Zoo, shows a pygmy hippo on Dec. 23, 2024, in Moseley, Va. (Metro Richmond Zoo via AP)
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Virginia Zoo Welcomes Newborn Pygmy Hippopotamus as Year Ends

This photo provided by the Metro Richmond Zoo, shows a pygmy hippo on Dec. 23, 2024, in Moseley, Va. (Metro Richmond Zoo via AP)
This photo provided by the Metro Richmond Zoo, shows a pygmy hippo on Dec. 23, 2024, in Moseley, Va. (Metro Richmond Zoo via AP)

A female pygmy hippopotamus delivered a healthy calf at the Metro Richmond Zoo earlier this month, officials said — the third baby hippo born at the zoo within the past five years.
The mother Iris gave birth to the female calf on Dec. 9 following a seven-month gestation, zoo officials said. The newborn, who has yet to be named, is the third calf for Iris and the father, Corwin. She was also the second calf to be born in December, according to the zoo.
“Most people don’t get a hippopotamus for Christmas at all, so we feel lucky to have received two over the years,” zoo officials said in a news release Tuesday.
Five days after her birth, the baby had a neonatal exam and weighed 15 pounds (6.8 kilograms). Officials said that fully grown pygmy hippos can weigh up to 600 pounds (270 kilograms).
According to the Richmond-area zoo, pygmy hippos are an endangered West African species, and only 2,500 mature hippos remain in the wild. Officials said pygmy hippos are distinctive from regular hippos because they do not live in groups and are usually solitary or in pairs.
“For this reason, once Iris’ two previous calves grew up, they were moved to other zoological facilities to live with future mates and continue contributing to the conservation of their species,” the news release said.