Samaah Anwar: I No Longer Search for Easy Roles.. But for Genuine Ones

SadaNews - Between the gravity of experience and the boldness of stance, artist Samaah Anwar remains one of the names that has left its mark on Egyptian drama and cinema, with a performance that balances strength and sincerity despite her long absence from the artistic scene.

In her latest work, the series "Catalog", which was recently shown on one of the online platforms, Samaah returns to portray a different character, carrying deep human and social dimensions. The character of the caregiver "Um Hashim" surprised everyone with her performance and unusual comedy in the role despite her strictness.

The artist Samaah Anwar revealed the behind-the-scenes of the work, what connected her with the acting team, especially the children, and her relationship with director Walid Al-Halfawy. She also spoke about her position today in the artistic scene, and her vision of the meaning of a return through roles that carry dramatic weight and special artistic sensitivity. She also discussed the role of "Um Hashim", the reason for her acceptance of the character, and how it differs from what she has presented before, as well as how she reacted to the feedback and the success she achieved.

To begin with, what attracted you to the character of "Um Hashim" in the series "Catalog"?

**The truth is that when I read the script for the first time, I felt that I was faced with a character that was fleshed out, not just written lines. "Um Hashim" is a woman who has lived a lot and stored in her heart bitter and sweet experiences, yet she has not lost her ability to resist. I was intrigued by the idea that this woman appears ordinary on the outside, but she actually represents a wide segment of women in our society who bear tremendous responsibilities in silence. I loved that I could embody her because I felt she was very close to the people, and the audience would find themselves in her, so I accepted immediately.

Some see the caregiver character "Um Hashim" as representing the traditional Egyptian mother, do you agree with this characterization?

**I do not like to place characters into ready-made molds. "Um Hashim" is not just the "good caregiver" or the "domineering caregiver"; she is more complex than that. She has fears, anxieties, tenderness, and strictness at the same time. In one moment, you might see her as extremely affectionate, and in another moment, she might surprise you with the sharpness of her responses and her cruelty. This is what led me to treat her as a real person, not just an abstract symbol.

How were the filming behind-the-scenes for you? Were there any funny moments or difficulties you faced?

**The behind-the-scenes were filled with love and laughter, and I believe that this spirit will reach the viewers. Artistic work is always exhausting, but when the team is cooperative, everything becomes easier. There was laughter on the set between me and Ahmed Essam and Khaled Kamal, and frankly, the entire team, including the beautiful children and Mohamed Farag, was wonderful.

Your relationship with director Walid Al-Halfawy caught the attention of some, how would you describe it?

**In all honesty, Al-Halfawy is one of the directors who works deeply on the details of the character. He does not just say "stand here" or "move there"; he sits with you to explain why you stand here and what it means to move there. He is a director with a human sense who leaves a lot of space for the actor to create while also directing with expertise and awareness. Our relationship during the filming was based on mutual respect, and he gave me great confidence in the role.

What about your relationship with the young actors who participated in the series?

**I love working with new generations. I always learn from them a different energy. In "Catalog", I was surrounded by talented actors looking for truth in their performances, and this made me very happy. I never felt that there was a gap between us; on the contrary, there was harmony and understanding. I was surprised by the performance of the children Ritaal and Ali and their maturity and awareness.

To what extent do you think the character "Um Hashim" has added to your artistic credit?

**I do not look at roles in such a mathematical way. Every role I present adds to me on a human level first, and then on an artistic level. "Um Hashim" added a lot to me, and I was very happy to present the character.

There are some who say you have become more inclined towards complex roles in recent years. Is this true?

* Certainly. I no longer search for a beautiful or easy role; I search for a genuine role. I love to present characters that resemble people, even if they carry contradictions or flaws. Life is not perfect, so why should we present perfect art? I believe the audience has begun to appreciate sincerity more than ever.

Let me ask you frankly, did you find yourself in "Um Hashim" on a personal level?

**Yes, very much. There are small details I felt were just mine, like her excessive fear for her loved ones or her anxiety about losing the warmth of family. It is true that I am not exactly "Um Hashim", but I felt I went through some of her fears and questions in my life. Perhaps that is why the role reached my heart easily.

What message do you want to convey to the audience through "Catalog"?

**I want them to see themselves. We do not want the series to be just a story for entertainment, but a mirror reflecting their anxieties, dreams, and struggles. It is a series that calls for family bonding, and I loved that in the work. Each role is written in a uniquely true way, which is what I found appealing from the start.

After this role, what are your upcoming artistic dreams?

**I dream of continuing to work on roles that keep me renewed. I do not like repetition or taking the easy path. There are upcoming projects, but I prefer to leave talking about them for their time. All I wish is for the series "Catalog" to maintain its place in the audience's hearts, as we put in a sincere effort from the heart.

And how did you react to the success achieved by the character "Um Hashim"?

**I was very happy with the audience's comments and their connection to the character, even memorizing her reactions and repeating them, which indicates the success of the character and the series, that the effort made reached the hearts of the audience and they interacted with the sincerity of the performance, and that is what is required.