In a heartfelt and candid conversation at the El Gouna Film Festival’s eighth edition, Egyptian screen legend Yousra opened up about five decades of art, struggle, and survival.
The special session, titled “50 Years of Yousra” and moderated by journalist Mohamed Omar, followed the unveiling of an exhibition chronicling her decades-spanning career, from her first on-screen appearance in the mid-1970s to her current status as an Arab icon.
What began as a tribute quickly became one of the festival’s most emotional and inspiring moments.
Read on for the highlights.
@milleworlddotcom A moment for the books at GFF. When Yousra shares her story, every ear listens #gounafilmfestival #egypt🇪🇬 #youssra ♬ original sound – milleworlddotcom
1. Fifty years felt like five
Yousra began the session with a mixture of disbelief and gratitude. “I couldn’t believe it — fifty years have passed, but it feels like five,” she said, her voice breaking as a montage of clips from her early films flashed on the screen behind her.
She described walking through the 50 Years of Yousra exhibition as reliving her entire life: “I saw my journey unfold — every film, every costume, every emotion. I felt proud and thankful for everyone who stood by me. Without people’s love, none of us can go on.”
The exhibition featured posters, behind-the-scenes stills, and her most memorable costumes such as the red dress from Terrorism and Kebab, which she said took her “sixty suitcases to find.”
@milleworlddotcom Moderator Mohamed Omar takes us behind the scenes of the “50 Years of Yousra” exhibition that is currently on at @ElGounaFilmFestival‘s 8th edition. #yousra #egypt🇪🇬 #gounafilmfestival ♬ original sound – milleworlddotcom
2. The hard years that shaped her
The actress spoke openly about her difficult beginnings, recalling that she filmed 25 movies before any were released in theaters. “I didn’t know what to think. I asked myself, should I keep going? Was the problem me or just timing?” she said. “But I decided to learn, to evolve. I used to go to the Film Institute even though I wasn’t enrolled. They’d give me hard assignments, but I wanted to understand everything about this craft.”
That hunger to learn paid off. “I sat through the editing of El Karnak with cinematographer Said Shimi,” she added. “That’s when I understood what editing means — that scenes are built with emotion, not just technique.”
3. Talent isn’t enough — you need patience and smart choices
Reflecting on the lessons she learned from Egypt’s cinematic giants, Yousra said:
“I learned from the greats — from how they carried themselves, how they respected the work. Talent alone isn’t enough. You need patience, intelligence, and good choices. Sometimes one small scene can change your entire career — like my scene with Ahmed Zaki in Ma’aly El Wazir. Without it, the whole film wouldn’t hold together.”
She added that she still draws inspiration from Faten Hamama, who once said she learned English and French simply by listening to the radio. “That was a generation that worked hard and learned on its own,” Yousra noted.
4. Behind the scenes of Terrorism and Kebab
One of the session’s most animated moments came when Yousra shared a behind-the-scenes story about her collaboration with Adel Imam, Sherif Arafa, and Wahid Hamed on the classic Terrorism and Kebab.
“I just came back from Valencia when I read the first draft. Wahid Hamed told me, ‘Take this role and read it.’ At first, I hesitated. Then Sherif Arafa asked me why — I said, ‘Because I really want to work with you.’ He laughed and told me to tell Wahid that. I went to him, and he said, ‘Give me ten pounds and sign!’” she recalled, laughing.
Yousra went on to design her own red dress for the film — now an iconic look in Egyptian cinema — and said that the movie’s success came from “trust, spontaneity, and the love of storytelling.”
5. Staying at the top is harder than reaching it
Yousra emphasized that the biggest challenge in an artist’s life is maintaining success, not achieving it.
“Continuity is the hardest thing. To keep your place and keep adding to it — that takes effort, sacrifice, and constant learning.”
She admitted to making mistakes along the way, but said they became her best teachers: “Of course I made wrong choices at the start, but I learned from every one of them.”
6. Media, privacy, and the new age of fame
@milleworlddotcom Here, Egyptian icon Yousra remembers what Youcef Chahine once told her about celebrity life and fame. #yousra #egypt🇪🇬 #gounafilmfestival ♬ original sound – milleworlddotcom
Turning to the subject of fame, Yousra reflected on how media coverage has evolved.
“In the old days, there were three or four newspapers, maybe ten magazines. Now, everyone has a voice and an opinion. Today they love you, tomorrow they attack you — for likes and money,” she said.
Despite her criticism, she acknowledged journalism’s power: “Media has its value and strength — but there must be limits. I believe in privacy; I can’t open my whole life to the world.”
She also admitted becoming more careful about what she says publicly. “Social media cuts your words, twists them, and only keeps what suits it. I’ve learned to be more mindful.”
7. Friendship is stronger than fame
@milleworlddotcom Yousra talks about her closest friends Ilham Shaheen, Laila Alaoui and Hala Sedki. #yousra #egypt🇪🇬 #gounafilmfestival ♬ original sound – milleworlddotcom
The talk took an emotional turn when Elham Shahin, Laila Eloui, and Hala Sedky joined the stage.
“People always ask if our friendship is real,” said Elham. “We’ve been like this for fifty years — yes, it’s real. We talk every day, see each other, share everything.”
Yousra smiled: “When I really want to rest, I go out with my friends — no makeup, no cameras, just food, laughter, and memories.” Hala added with affection: “Her idea of an outing is visiting someone in need — she even keeps a black jacket in her car for hospital or condolence visits.”
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