Nelly Karim: I seek complex characters with human depth
Artist Nelly Karim stated that she has become more cautious in recent years in selecting projects that add value to her artistic career, emphasizing that her primary criterion when reading any script is the nature of the character and its human dimensions, rather than its appearance, age, or screen time.
Karim told Al-Jarida that complex and unconventional characters remain closest to her heart, as they offer her a genuine opportunity to deliver a different performance. She noted that she does not concern herself with appearing without makeup or portraying older age groups, provided that such choices serve the project and make the character more authentic.
She clarified that this conviction was one of the main reasons behind her agreement to star in the film “Al-Qasas” (The Stories), in which she portrays the character of Fairuz, a mother who embarks on a long journey with her family across different time periods. Karim affirmed that the character represents a realistic model for many women who bear life’s responsibilities with patience and strength, which attracted her to the role from the moment she read the script.
She believes that “Al-Qasas” is a project with the qualities to endure, noting that the film relies not only on events but also presents a human story that can remain close to audiences for many years, alongside the integration of its artistic elements, which encouraged her to undertake the experience.
At the same time, Karim continues filming “The Blue Elephant 3,” affirming that audiences will see the character of Labina differently compared to the previous two parts, with new developments driven by the film’s plot. This marks her return after the significant success achieved by the first two installments.
She praised the renewed collaboration with director Marwan Hamed and writer Ahmed Mourad, emphasizing that working with them always provides her with space to discover new aspects of her character. She also described her collaboration with Karim Abdel Aziz as one of the most enjoyable experiences, both in front of the camera and during scene preparation, due to the artistic understanding that has developed between them over the years.
Karim stressed that filming “The Blue Elephant 3” presents different challenges due to the nature of the work, which blends suspense with psychological drama. She noted that the film transcends the traditional horror concept, relying primarily on the dramatic construction of characters and their relationships.
She emphasized that she will continue to seek roles that present her with new challenges, considering diversity the secret to any actor’s longevity. She added that she still prefers characters that rely on their human depth rather than their appearance or external image.
