Hussein Fahmy

Hussein Fahmy is just as magnificent in person as he is on screen. Perhaps it is due to his chameleon like nature. After all, what Fahmy had in mind was not what destiny had in store for him. "I wanted to be a director I ended up being an actor. I started my life wanting to have a family, and ended up being a bachelor." While his friends studied engineering, medicine and other technical professions, Fahmy gambled at a chance to study acting at Cairo University. His professors were future directing greats, such as Youssef Chahin and Salah Abu Seif, from whom Fahmy learned the fundamentals of film making in Egypt.

Determined to continue his academic studies in film directing, Fahmy set off to California's prestigious UCLA, eventually receiving a Masters in Fine Arts. He remained in Hollywood working for small studios where he received the experience of a lifetime. This period of his life shaped Fahmy's future career in Egypt's film industry, teaching him how to communicate through the camera. "I learned how to deliver a message in the shortest, most effective manner. That changed my whole outlook in life in regards to being influential as directly as possible."

And Fahmy has certainly been an influence in Egypt, not only as an actor furthering artistic awareness, but also to his fans and friends, for staying forever young. His spirit of youth stems from deep within him, as he is aware of himself on a conscious level few have had the insight to reach. "I am my own best friend and I know what I want. I also believe the only reality we know is the moment we live in."

Fahmy stays in touch with his spirit and looks after himself through exercise, which keeps his stress level at a minimum. On the mental plane, Fahmy feeds his intellect through travelling, reading, and of course the arts. "To keep my own balance, I follow a few cardinal rules, which govern my life in general. First, having confidence in oneself is vital. It does not come overnight and it requires hard work. The second most important rule is self-serenity. Lastly, I always learn from my failures as well as my successes."

And Fahmy's life has been filled with much success. Although he had not anticipated heading Cairo's International Film Festival, destiny again had other plans in mind for him. The Minister of Culture chose Fahmy from a list of the most distinguished artists in Egypt. He was selected not only for his impressive accomplishments, but for his visionary personality, which was believed would take the Film Festival into the 21st century. Fahmy has created two web sites for Cairo's Film Festival, as well as gave it its own e-mail. Also, thanks to Fahmy, Egypt's film history is now available on CD-ROM, bringing the Cairo Film Festival up to par with other prestigious international film festivals. "My main obstacle was the Egyptian mentality, as most Egyptians tend to find it difficult to accept change and suffer from a lack of vision. To gain their support and acceptance, I convinced the people working with me on the festival to have confidence in my efforts and to trust me”.
Fahmy is no stranger to facing obstacles and challenges. When he returned from UCLA, Fahmy was continuously discouraged. He was told not to direct by film producers, as they saw in him the makings of an actor. Fahmy thus decided to try his hand in front of the camera, thinking that grasping the insight of an actor would give him a better understanding of directing. Though initially a success in his first two movies, which were released simultaneously, (one drama, "Dalal Al Masraya", the other a comedy, "Nar Al Shouk"), critics received him harshly. "I was called a failure. I wasn't gambling on becoming an actor, but I also did not accept being called a failure".

Thirty years later, Fahmy is by no means a failure. He is always cast as the leading character in his films and has received many awards, mostly from the Ministry of Culture. He has proved himself on stage in the national theatre, taking the awards of best stage actor in "Ahlan Ya Bakkawat." In addition, Fahmy was also recognized for his many TV serials, which are among the most popular in the Arab World. Perhaps his success in acting is largely due to his ability to relate to the audience. "I try to avoid disappointing my audience and repeating myself, and I make sure my messages are conveyed in tune with modern times."

Fahmy has also, through building a strong rapport with his audience, established himself as one of the most reputable actors of Egyptian Cinema. "My reputation is very important to me. I cannot be dishonest or insincere to the public. I believe one must draw a fine line between real life and acting, especially in our profession, where there is a lot of fiction. When I act, I am another character and live in that character's world. When I'm done, I make the effort to be myself again and I come back to reality. If a performer doesn't comprehend the existence of that line his life can easily shatter. I always have my feet on solid ground."

Fahmy is definitely on firm ground, not simply professionally, but personally as well. His outlook on life is optimistic, yet realistic. But his realism does not affect his ability to dream. "I have always had one foot in the air, I'm romantic by nature. I'm a dreamer, but I have another foot on the ground and I'm very realistic about life and what I have at hand."

Fahmy keeps his balance by not fearing the future, as only God knows what tomorrow will bring. He does not believe in looking back, living in the past, or having regrets. He lives for the moment and he gives his all to the present. "I feel very sorry for people who live in the past. I give my all to whatever I do. When I'm reading, I am only reading. When I eat, I enjoy dining. And if I'm with my children, nothing can distract me from the pleasure they give me at that moment. People tend to lose lots of good moments in life by mixing up too many things."



One of the strongest pillars in his life was his father, who remains until this day, his idol. Fahmy's father, a well-known figure from one of Egypt's most renowned families, was a true father in every sense of the word, as well as a gentleman. "He was a man of culture, honesty, and principle. He loved his family and he loved life. He was a serious man and was well-read, with a great sense of humor."

As for his mother, she is the epitome of what a woman should be. She also had an active role in Egyptian society. Being a member of the War Society in 1948, as well as the Health Improvement Organization, besides her involvement with the Red Cross, Fahmy recently followed in his mother's footsteps when he was selected as the UN's Goodwill Ambassador. He is currently working with the UNDP in a joint program promoting women's rights and other social concerns, such as drug prevention and eliminating child abuse. Fahmy is an avid supporter of Susan Mubarak's programs concerning children’s education. However, one of the most urgent causes he is fighting for is the destruction of land mines in the Western Desert. Fahmy thinks that his fame should be used positively. "Being a celebrity as well as a movie star helps in drawing attention to issues faced on a public level."

At the time of this interview Fahmy was preparing to attend the Women's Day Conference, since he is one of Egypt's proponents of the new 'kholaa' law, which gives women the right to divorce. Fahmy values women highly, and recognizes the significance of this law. 

Asking Fahmy, the actor, the humanitarian, and the family man, how he wants to be remembered, he says, “as a sincere, honest artist who devoted his life to conveying a message that would forever leave a mark upon Egypt and its people.” A dream he has basically fulfilled, as he has already touched Egyptians on both the social and cultural levels; and as far as Egypt is concerned he will always be “Forever Young”.


"I am my own best friend and I know what I want. I also believe the only reality we know is the moment we live in."

"To keep my own balance, I follow a few cardinal rules, which govern my life in general. First, having confidence in oneself is vital. It does not come overnight and it requires hard work. The second most important rule is self-serenity. Lastly, I always learn from my failures as well as my successes."

"I have always had one foot in the air, I'm romantic by nature. I'm a dreamer, but I have another foot on the ground and I'm very realistic about life and what I have at hand."