Al-Sagga and Yasmeen to Al-Anba: The Dialect Behind the Absence of Gulf Films in Egyptian Cinemas
Kuwaiti officials attended a cinematic evening that brought together the stars of the film “Khali Bak Min Nafsak” (Beware of Yourself), Ahmed El Sakka and Yasmine Abdel Aziz, along with the public and media. The Kuwait National Cinema Company’s “Cinescape” at “Mall 360” hosted the film’s first Arab and media screening, reaffirming Kuwait’s continued presence as a key launchpad for major Arab cinematic works.
The event was attended by Hisham Al-Ghanim, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Kuwait National Cinema Company “Cinescape,” alongside a number of journalists, influencers, content creators, and cinema enthusiasts. Al-Ghanim welcomed the guests to Kuwait, emphasizing “Cinescape’s” commitment to hosting first Arab screenings that allow audiences to meet directly with the stars and creators of the works.
This was followed by a dialogue session featuring the film’s leads, Ahmed El Sakka and Yasmine Abdel Aziz, who discussed the details of their collaboration, the nature of the characters they portray, and the filming atmosphere that blended action and comedy. They also answered questions from journalists and attendees in a spontaneous and interactive setting.
During the session, Al-Akhbar newspaper posed a question regarding the absence of Gulf films from Egyptian cinemas. The two stars clarified that this issue is not related to the quality or production level of Gulf cinema, but rather largely stems from dialectal differences. The Gulf dialect can pose a challenge in reaching certain segments of the Egyptian audience, whereas the Egyptian dialect has gained widespread recognition across the Arab world over decades, facilitating the distribution of Egyptian films to various markets.
Following the dialogue session, the film’s first Arab screening commenced. Ahmed El Sakka and Yasmine Abdel Aziz made a point of watching the film for the first time alongside their audience in Kuwait, showing special appreciation for the Kuwaiti public, which embraced the film’s Arab launch prior to its release in other countries.
“Khali Bak Min Nafsak” blends action, comedy, and suspense. Ahmed El Sakka portrays Alaa Al-Bardawili, a radio host who offers romantic advice to listeners but fears commitment and prefers to end relationships for trivial reasons. His life is turned upside down when he meets “Farida,” played by Yasmine Abdel Aziz. Initially believing he has found his ideal partner, he later discovers that she runs an arms trafficking network. When he attempts to distance himself, she refuses to let go and forces him into marriage, triggering a series of comedic situations, adventures, and chases that give the film a pace full of surprises. Ultimately, the film delivers a message to the audience that individuals must be wary of their own selves, which can deceive them and lead them into trouble if they do not carefully consider their steps and choices, as external appearances can sometimes be misleading.
Joining Ahmed El Sakka and Yasmine Abdel Aziz in the film are several guest-star artists, including Labiba, Mohamed Radwan, Mohamed Tharwat, Mustafa Abu Sarie, Bioumi Fouad, Mohamed Lotfy, Amr Saad, Karim Fahmy, Eiad Nassar, Majed Al-Masri, Ahmed Al-Rafai, and Mohamed Tharwat, whose additional contributions enriched the film’s plot. The film is scheduled for official release in Egyptian and Arab cinemas on the 23rd of this month.
