As a seasoned movie enthusiast who’s had the pleasure of witnessing the rise of many talented artists, Yasmina El-Abd stands out as one of the most inspiring young actresses I’ve come across. Born to an Egyptian family in Switzerland and raised with a trilingual flair (English, French, and Arabic), her journey from studying drama in London to landing her first acting job at the tender age of 12, is nothing short of extraordinary.
18-year-old Egyptian actress Yasmina El-Abd, who’s gained significant recognition since her debut at age 12, serves as an example of the increasing prominence of female empowerment themes in the movie and television content being produced across the Arab world.
El-Abd, born to an Egyptian family in Switzerland, pursued drama studies in London and made her acting debut in the acclaimed short film “The Shadow of Cairo.” In this role, she portrayed Maya, a 12-year-old character who avenges her mother’s death by assuming a vigilante-like persona, targeting sexual harassers in Cairo.
Over the years, numerous roles have been taken on, such as in the Arabic dramedy “Daughters of Abdul-Rahman”; also in the HBO Max children’s series “Theodosia,” where El-Abd is the sole Egyptian cast member and portrays Princess Safiya; the trailblazing Arabic musical film “Sukkar”; and, not forgetting the popular Netflix series “Finding Ola” – with its second season recently released – in which she appears as Zeina, a surrogate daughter to the show’s contentedly divorced main character.
18-year-old multilingual artist Yasmina El-Abd, who performs in English, French, and Arabic, shared her career advancements and reasons for venturing into executive production with EbMaster.
At what point did you come to understand the significance of portraying strong, empowered women in the narratives you present on-screen?
Not long after the release of “Shadow of Cairo,” which brought attention to sexual harassment in the Middle East, I submitted a self-tape to director Zaid Abu Hamdan, which turned out to be successful. In “Daughters of Abdul-Rahman,” I portrayed Abdul Rahman’s daughter. My character’s storyline centered around early marriage and child marriage, as my character was forced into a marriage with a man more than three decades her senior. This suggested that I was determined to challenge societal norms in whatever profession I pursued.
How significant has it been to play a lead role in Egyptology-themed series “Theodosia”?
It was an incredible privilege to represent Egypt during this project. I found myself deeply captivated by the script as well because, while it’s primarily designed for younger viewers, its appeal extends across all demographics. This is thanks to the writers collaborating with Egyptologists, ensuring the content is historically accurate and well-researched. We were also given the freedom to breathe life into our characters in unique ways. As the sole Egyptian amongst the main cast, I seized the opportunity to suggest changes that resonated more authentically with my culture. Specifically, I ensured that all Arabic names were pronounced correctly, as these details matter and contribute to a more diverse and inclusive industry.
How has it been for you working with Hend Sabri on “Finding Ola”?
Watching ‘Finding Ola’ was my initial TV series in the Middle East, and I consider myself fortunate for having it be my debut project. Hend, who plays the lead, is simply outstanding; I could gush about her endlessly, but she’s nothing short of exceptional. In the second season, Zeina, another character I play, has grown a bit since the first season. As you age, you mature in small increments, then regress to a youthful immaturity, and this cycle continues. So while Zeina remains typical of a Gen Z influencer, she’s gained more prominence this time around, which adds depth to her character.
Is it important to you that Sabri, not only plays the main character in “Finding Ola,” but also serves as one of its producers?
I’ve always felt strongly that women shouldn’t be held back in the industry, we have equal capabilities and potential to perform roles just as men do, including leading shows, projects, and films, all while staying true to our unique perspectives. To witness this happening is truly inspiring. She’s not only breaking barriers for herself but also for young talents like me, allowing us to make strides early in our careers. This is a tremendous advantage, especially in the Middle East where such progress is becoming more visible. Similarly, we see many young women in the West taking on executive producer roles alongside their acting duties. It’s high time we had that opportunity here and globally too, not just because it’s desired, but because we genuinely possess the ability and have valuable insights to share.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
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2024-09-27 17:17