Yousra (; ; , ; born Sivin Nesim (, )) is an Egyptian actress. She is regarded as a prominent figure in the Middle East entertainment industry and has been described as an influential cultural icon in the region.
Career Yousra has appeared in nearly 81 films, about 20 television dramas, and three stage productions. She made her film debut in 1980 with Athkiya' Laken Aghbiya (Smart Yet Stupid). Over the years, she has taken on a wide range of roles, including comedic, dramatic, and romantic characters. Her early work included Kasr Fi El Hawaa (Castle in the Air) by Abdel Halim Nasr (1980), Fatah Tabhath Ann Alhob (A Girl Looking for Love) by Nader Galal (1977), Alf Bossa Wa Bossa (A Thousand and One Kisses) by Mohamed Abdel Aziz (1977), and Ebtessama Waheda Takfi (One Smile Is Enough) by Mohamed Bassiyouni (1978).
She later starred in a series of successful films with Adel Emam, including Shabab Yarkoss Fawk Alnar (Youth Dancing on Fire) by Yehiya Al Alamy (1978), Al Ensan Yaeesh Mara Waheda (Man Only Lives Once) by Simone Saleh (1981), Ala Bab Al Wazeer (At the Door of the Minister) by Mohamed Abdel Aziz (1982), Al Avocato (The Lawyer) by Raafat Al Mihi (1984), Al Ins Wa Algen by Mohamed Radi (1985), and Karakoun Fi El Shareih. Their collaborations were known for combining humour with social and political commentary. The duo also appeared together in Al Mansi (The Forgotten), Al Irhab Wal Kabab (Terrorism and Kebab), and Toyour Al Zalam (Birds of Darkness), all of which used comedy to explore political themes and received both critical and popular acclaim.
A significant milestone in Yousra's career was her collaboration with Egyptian director Youssef Chahine. She appeared in his films Hadduta Masreya (Egyptian Story, 1982), Iskanderiya Kaman we Kaman (Alexandria Again and Again, 1990), and Al Mohager (The Emigrant, 1994). Yousra has stated that Chahine had a profound influence on her personally and professionally, describing him as "a school for anyone who works with him."
Yousra also appeared in several television dramas that aired during Ramadan, including the 2005 series Ahlam 'Adiya (Ordinary Dreams). In the show, she portrayed a con artist, a role described by Al-Ahram as "a major departure from the star's usual Ramadan screen persona, which has consistently verged on the romantic and the demure."Al-Ahram Weekly (archived October 20, 2005)
In 2006, Yousra played a supporting role in The Yacoubian Building, an adaptation of the novel of the same name. The film reportedly had one of the highest budgets in Egyptian cinema at the time. Playing an entertainer in a restaurant, Yousra, according to Variety, "effortlessly stirs old emotional waters when she sings 'La Vie en rose.'"
Yousra released her first vocal album in 2002. In 2017, she appeared in Abu's hit single 3 Daqat. In 2018, she starred in Ladayna Akwalon Okhra (We Have Another Statement). In 2019, Yousra and Saba Mubarak appeared in a Harper’s Bazaar Arabia photo shoot, both wearing evening gowns. In 2020, she starred in Saheb Al Maqam, her first film in eight years.
Personal life
Yousra is married to Khaled Selim and is the sister-in-law of actor Hesham Selim, the son of Egyptian footballer, actor, and former Al Ahly president Saleh Selim.
Political views Following the 2009 Egypt–Algeria World Cup dispute, Yousra expressed support for the Algeria national football team during the 2010 FIFA World Cup held in South Africa, despite tensions between Egypt and Algeria at the time.Egyptian actress Yousra will cheer for Algeria in the 2010 World Cup (archived March 22, 2010). Earlier, she and Omar Sharif had participated in a protest against Algeria following accusations of misconduct against Egypt during a qualifying match between the two countries.
Filmography
YearFilmTranslation / English Title1977Fatah Tabhath Aan Al-HobA Girl Searching for Love1978EbtesamaSmile1978Shabab Yarkos Fawqa An-NarYouths Dancing on Fire1979Ushaq Al-EshreenLovers under 201980Amal Eh El-Hob Fi BabaWhat Did Love Do for Dad?1980Qasr fi Al-HawaaA Mansion on Air1981Leilat Shitaa DafeiaA Warm Winter Night1981El Insaan Yaeesh Mara WahedaA Man Lives Only Once1981Karakoon Fi El ShareaA Prison in the Street1982Shitan Al-GazeeraThe Island's Devil1982Ala bab Al-WazeerAt the Minister's Door1982Hadoota MasriyyiaAn Egyptian Story1984Al-Tha'rRevenge1984Al AvocatoThe Lawyer1984La Tasalny Man AnaDon't Ask Me Who I Am1985Al Ins Wal GenHumans and Jinn1985As-SaaleeqThe Vagabonds1985Shaqat Al Ostaz HasanMr. Hasan's Apartment1986Al BedayaThe Beginning1986Al Galsa Al SerriyaThe Secret Meeting1986Abl El WaddaaBefore Goodbye1986Wasmet AarStigma1987At-TaweezaTaweeza1987Al LaeebaThe Game1987Sekket En-NadamaThe Path of Remorse1987Asfoor Laho AneyaabA Bird with Teeth1987Li Adam Kefayet El AdellahFor Lack of Evidence1987Darb el Hawa—1988Sarkhet NadamCry of Remorse1988Emra'a Lel AsafUnfortunately, a Woman1989Iskendria Kaman Wi KamanAlexandria Again and Forever1989KaboosNightmare1990El MoolidThe Mawlid1990Gizeeret El ShaitanThe Devil's Island1991Al-Ra'i wal NisaaThe Shepherd and the Women1991Sayedat Al-QahiraThe Lady of Cairo1992Al-SharesThe Fierce1992Emra'a Ayela Lel SoqootA Woman Liable to Fall1993Al-MansiThe Forgotten1993MercedesMercedes1993Al Erhab Wi El-KababTerrorism and Kebab1993Dehk Wa Le'b Wa Gad Wa HobLaughter, Play, Seriousness, and Love1994Al-MohagerThe Emigrant1996Teyoor Ez-ZalaamBirds of Darkness1996NazwaLust1997Eish el-GhorabThe Mushroom1998Dantilla—1998Risala Ela Al-WaliA Message to the Wāli1999Kalam El LeilNight Talk2001Al-AsefaThe Tempest2001Al-Warda Al-HamraThe Red Rose2002Ma'ali al WazirHis Excellency the Minister2004Iskendria New YorkAlexandria... New York2005Kalam Fil HobWords on Love2005Dam El GhazaalThe Gazelle's Blood2006Emaret YaccobianThe Yacoubian Building2006Mateegy Nor'osLet's Dance2009Bobbos—2012Game Over—2020Saheb Al MaqamThe Dignitary
Television
YearTitleTranslation / English Title Role1979Anf we Thalathat EyounA Nose and Three EyesAmina1994Rafat Al-HagganRafat Al-HagganHelen Samhoon1996Hayat El-GohariAl-Gohari's LifeHayat2000Awan El WardThe Time of RosesAmal2002Ayna QalbiWhere Is My HeartFaten2003Malak RohiAngel of My SoulMalak2004Leqa Ala El-HawaA Meeting on AirLeqa2005Ahlam El-AdeyaOrdinary DreamsNadia Anzaha2006Lahazat HaregaCritical MomentsSarah2007Adiyyet Ra'y AamA Matter of Public OpinionAbla2008Fi Aydee AminaIn Safe HandsAmina2009Khas GiddanUp Close and PersonalDr. Sherifa2010El Arabi Ma'a YousraThe Arab with YousraHerself2010Bel Shamaa Al-AhmarIn Red WaxDr. Fatma2012Sharbat LouzAlmond SherbetSharbat2014Saraya AbdeenAbdeen PalaceKhoshyar Hanim / El Walda Pasha2016Foq Mostawa El-ShobohatAbove SuspicionDr. Rahma2017El Hesab YegmaA Score to SettleNa'eema2018Awalem KhafeyaHidden WorldsHerself (guest)2018Ladayna Akwalon OkhraWe Have Further CommentsAmira Mansour2020Kheyanet AhdBetrayal of a CovenantAhed2021Harab AhelyaCivil WarMariam2022Ahlam SaedaSweet DreamsFarida
References
External links
The Yacoubian Building at the Tribeca Film Festival Marefa – Yosra's biography