Mona Zaki, after a trip to the United States for the promotion of her latest film Flight 404directed by Hany Khalifa and presented by Egypt at Oscar 2025 for the best international film, expressed her gratitude to the warm welcome she received in the RSIFF. “” I am honored and happy with all these honors. I feel positive love waves, and I am delighted to be recognized by this festival, young but already tall “She said, visibly moved.
This film, Flight 404is the fruit of 11 years of perseverance and work. “” I read this film 11 years ago, and each time, for one reason or another, it could not be done. We proposed the project to several producers, but it was refused. Then Mohamed Hefzy agreed to produce it, and this is how this project was born “Says Mona.
For her, the key to the success of this film lies in her deep philosophy and the questions of the main character. “The character is full of questions. He all resembles us in a certain way, which allows the public to identify easily “Says Mona. This film therefore seems to have found a particular resonance in the hearts of spectators.
During this conversation, Mona Zaki also returned to her cinema debut, especially in the film Sahar Layali (2003), produced by the same Hany Khalifa. “” Hany is an excellent director, he can read a scenario in an exceptional way. With him, I learned to understand the film as a whole “Confides Mona. The film, which had brought together a new generation of actors, marked a turning point in his career. “” We were all beginners, but with Hany, he knew how to extract the best of each of us. »»
She also underlines that the experience with Hany Khalifa was marked by a very special perfectionism. “” Hany knew from the start of each scene what he wanted. It made us repeat tirelessly, until each gesture, each replica, becomes natural. He knew it was the only way to get the best of ourselves. For Mona, it was this intense rehearsal process that made its performance as authentic.
In parallel with her collaborations with renowned directors, Mona Zaki also mentioned the importance of constantly renewing herself in her profession. “” I am always curious about the characters I play. It pushes me to go beyond what I know. I studied theater in the United States, and today, in Egypt, I often work with coaches of actors She says. She adds that this approach is never a constraint, but rather an opportunity to reinvent itself: ” Each coach tells me something new. This allows me to enrich my performance and better embody roles. »»
Mona Zaki is convinced that the actor must constantly evolve, question himself to offer the best version of oneself to each new project. This quest for perfection and this desire to renew themselves are powerful engines in his career.
Over the years, Mona Zaki has had the chance to work with several renowned directors, each with their own method and their own vision of cinema. If, in her first roles, she was marked by the nervousness of Ashraf Fahmy, who even scared her, she evokes with admiration the professionalism of Sherif Arafa. “” Sherif is punctual, very organized. He works tirelessly for hours. I learned a lotI, “she said.
The passage under the direction of Youssry Nasrallah was also an important turning point in his career. “” With Youssry, I wanted to get out of the roles of a young girl and go to more mature roles. It is a turning point in my career. It was then that I decided not to choose films for the expectations of others, but for what I liked “Says Mona.
She also remembers her collaboration with Mhamed Hassine, who had a very precise approach to her characters. “” He has a ‘bible’ for each character, and he knew exactly what he wanted for each of us. I knew exactly what was the role I had to play in Afrah Qobba, and that allowed me to embody this character with great precision ”underlines Mona.
A particularly relevant question was asked by Tarek Elshinawy during this meeting. It is very likely to refer to the campaign of denigration, even insults, which was victim Mona following his role in the film Ashab Wala Aaz (2022). “” At the time of your beginnings, our society was much more conservative, and the actresses were deemed according to their roles. And it still continues. How do you face this pressure, especially in the era of social networks, where judgments can be severe? “Mona replied with great wisdom:” I come from an era when society was even more conservative, and I must admit that, young, it scared me. But today I think we have made great progress. »» However, she recognizes that social networks have changed the situation. “” Today, the pressure is much stronger. People can be very cruel, and opinions on social networks can be devastating. But I protect myself from that. What matters to me is to choose films that I like and play them authentically. I am no longer afraid of external judgments, which scares me is not to succeed in a role. »»
Mona Zaki is resolutely optimistic about the evolution of society, stressing that the recognition of actresses and artists has changed. “” Today, I am no longer afraid of what people think. What matters to me is to embody characters who speak to me and do it rightly. I believe that women, and actresses in particular, now have more opportunities and freedom of expression than before. »»
In preparation for this 4th edition of the festival, Mona Zaki was invited to choose a film to restore, and she did not hesitate to pay tribute to Shafik and Metwallya film she loves because of the great Souad Hosny, as well as her other icons, Ahmed Zaki and Mahmoud Abdelaziz. “” This film is part of the history of Arab cinema. Souad Hosny marked an entire generation, and it was for me a way of honoring not only the heritage of this great actress, but also to thank those who helped shape the Egyptian film industry She explains.
Asked about her future ambitions, Mona Zaki replied with the passion that characterizes her: ” Learn, always. I want to continue to receive roles that allow me to grow and renew myself. What interests me is to continue to evolve as an artist and to launch new challenges. »»
She concludes on this note of hope: ” The main thing is to play roles that inspire me, no matter what others can think of it. If I manage to do my job with passion and authenticity, then that’s all that matters. »»
This tribute to the RSIF 2024 confirms that Mona Zaki is not only an exceptional actress, but also a key figure in Arab cinema, with a unique vision and a career marked by the rigor, passion and incessant research of renewal.
Neïla Driss
