The seventh edition of the Gouna Film Festival featured an exclusive panel on Thursday discussing the Egyptian film The White Dress, bringing together
The seventh edition of the Gouna Film Festival featured an exclusive panel on Thursday discussing the Egyptian film The White Dress, bringing together the film’s creators and an audience of cinema enthusiasts and festival guests.
The panel shed light on behind-the-scenes stories, showcasing the dedication and hard work of the entire team. Actress Yasmin Raeis expressed her joy over the positive reception at the festival, while co-star Asmaa Galal highlighted the rigorous preparations undertaken prior to filming. Director Gihan Awf emphasized her commitment to ensuring each actor deeply understood their character, aiming to convey meaningful messages to the audience.
Director Gihan Awf shared that character development was her main focus, ensuring that each character was multidimensional and complex, revealed through interactions within the narrative. Yasmin Raeis spoke about the connection some viewers made between her character, Warda, in The White Dress and Hayam from Factory Girl. “It’s a nice comparison,” she said, “but Warda is not Hayam; they belong to different social backgrounds.” Raeis elaborated that Warda is portrayed as educated with a university degree, unlike Hayam, who did not complete her education.
Raeis noted her views on social classification, emphasizing that she rejects labels like “popular” or “high-class,” as she believes these distinctions are oversimplified. She appreciated the film’s depiction of Cairo, saying, “Documenting the city in The White Dress is rare and reminiscent of the works of great directors. These scenes, which capture streets and buildings, have a lasting impact, and I deeply value such elements.”
Asmaa Galal, reflecting on her role as Basma, mentioned that she and Raeis spent time with a young woman from the neighborhood where they filmed, observing her speech, attire, and nuances that added authenticity to their portrayals. She expressed admiration for the dynamic between her character and Warda, noting how their contrasting personalities were bridged by mutual understanding.
Addressing questions about Basma’s portrayal, Raeis clarified, “Basma is not veiled but comes from an environment where girls are expected to cover their hair. Hair is a woman’s crown, so it wouldn’t be realistic for her to be veiled while wearing revealing clothing.”
Director Gihan Awf defended the film’s depiction of Egyptian society’s varied approaches to modesty and attire, stressing the importance of reflecting this diversity in her work. She stated, “As a filmmaker, it’s my right to present perspectives that embody real-life stories, which is the essence of cinema.”
The filmmakers addressed criticisms regarding the portrayal of journalism, explaining that Raeis’s character aspired to become a journalist but was depicted as a trainee struggling to achieve her dream. “The ID card she carried was labeled ‘trainee,’ highlighting her continuous efforts to pursue her goal,” Awf noted.
Raeis also responded to claims about negative male portrayals, clarifying, “Male characters in the film were not negative,” and Awf added, “This isn’t a female-led film; Ahmed Khaled Saleh’s role is significant, and male characters are integral to the story.”
Raeis revealed her involvement as a producer for The White Dress and announced her plans to establish a production company focused on creating more film projects. “With my experience in acting, I realized that I’m not just an actress but also capable of contributing to the commercial side of filmmaking. I want to invest in projects that resonate with me,” she shared.
The White Dress follows the story of Warda, a bride whose wedding dress goes missing the night before her wedding. This sets her on a journey across Cairo with her best friend in search of a replacement, leading to an unexpected, deeper exploration of herself and her connection to the city.
Representing Egypt in the official competition at the Gouna Film Festival, The White Dress is written and directed by Gihan Awf, featuring Yasmin Raeis, Ahmed Khaled Saleh, Asmaa Galal, Salwa Mohamed Ali, Lubna Wanes, Arwa Gouda, Injy Abou El-Soud, and Mimi Gamal.
Nabil Alani – Elgouna Film Festival 2024 – #GFF24
@yasminraeis
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