Egyptian actor Sherif Mounir Egyptian actor Sherif Mounir has denied reports that he received death threats while filming his new series “Al-Safa” (The Slap). He also said that there is no similarity between the role he plays in this series and the his part in the film “Awlad al-Am” (The Cousins).
Arabstoday managed to have a chat with the acclaimed actor:
AT: Tell us more about your role in the new series [al-Safa].
SM: I play the role of an officer in the Mossad named Barokh that his extreme love for his country and his work caused a dispute with an Egyptian intelligence officer played by Haitham Ahmed Zaki...the events unfold in an exciting manner from thereon.
AT: Do you not think there is a similarity between this character and the one you played in the film “Awlad al-Am” (The Cousins)?
 SM: Aboslutely not! If it was like that, I would have apologised for the role. The scriptwriter expected me to choose the role of the Egyptian officer as I played a role of an Israeli in the film, but I surprised him by choosing the Israeli officer’s role after I found it totally different.
AT: Is there truth behind the rumours that the cast and crew of the series received death threats?
SM: Nothing like that has happened at all. I do not know where this news comes from.
AT: Do you think Egyptian shows today needs that plots which discuss the conflict between Egyptian and Israeli intelligence?
SM: Certainly. I consider it a sort of the national artists' work that shows the reality of the Egyptian intelligence personell as they stoood against Mossad, as they are like the unknown soldiers who work in silence without any publicity.
AT: What's it like off-set?
SM: More than wonderful. Love and cooperation prevails in the work atmosphere, and I am very happy to work for a fifth time with the king of Drama, director Magdy Abo Emira.
AT: Did you have to deal with a paycut for this role?
SM: Certainly. I appeal to all my colleagues to give up part of their wages at least during this period. After things get better the law of supply and demand will impose itself again. But for the current period, reducing our wages will contribute to the film industry. We should be loyal to our profession… We should take this opportunity to do collective roles, where one film includes two main stars, as before the revolution it was difficult for any producer to finance a work that includes a number of stars.
AT: We learned from our sources that Adel Imam visited the show crew but you were absent. Why weren't you there?
SM: I did not know that Adel Imam would come on set, I don't think anybody knew that. On that day I immediately left once I had finished filming. After that, Adel Imam came to the studio and I was very upset for not meeting him especially as I cherish my relationship with him very much.
AT: You stated before that you were dissatisfied with television shows which you saw as causing sedition between the police and people; do you still think that?
SM: I think things have considerably calmed down compared to how they were before. Months after the revolution I saw some programmes trying to find solutions to improve the relationship between people and the police, which made me very happy, but I was surprised as the advertisements showed scenes of clashes between police and people. I found the screening such scenes completely unjustified.
AT: Do you think relations between the two have improved?
SM: To some extent. Both sides should provide concessions so things may return to normal. We should treat them well while they are performing their duties, and they should use a new tone in talking to citizens. However, there should be firmness when dealing with thugs.
AT: Some say that art should change after the January 25 revolution. What do you think?
SM: I am against this because art by definition means creativity and I am sure work that presents gratuitousness and pettiness would find no place after the revolution.
AT: Why did you recently create an account on Facebook?
SM: I found it the fastest and most powerful way to communicate with my audience, and in fact, the most beautiful moments I have now is when I communicate with my young fans thorough introducing mutual views and ideas that benefit all of us at the end. I also consult my friends on many things through Facebook.