National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters Honors Gulf Screen Icon Haya Al-Hashem with Documentary on Her Career

Kuwait City, October 26 (KUNA) -- The National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters commemorated the anniversary of the late Kuwaiti actress Haya Al-Fahad, known as the "Lady of the Gulf Screen," on Monday evening with a screening of the documentary film "A Life Story." The film retraces more than six decades of her artistic and humanitarian contributions, coinciding with the reopening of the Dasma Theater following comprehensive development and maintenance works.

The event featured the documentary, produced by the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters under the patronage of Council Secretary-General Dr. Mohammed Al-Jassar, with general vision and supervision provided by Assistant Secretary-General for Financial, Administrative, and Supporting Artistic Affairs Muaid Al-Zamil. The film was directed by Dr. Ali Hassan and prepared by Bader Al-Jazzaf.

In a speech delivered at the event, Dr. Al-Jassar stated that honoring the late Haya Al-Fahad is an act of gratitude toward an artistic stature that left an indelible mark on the hearts of Kuwaiti and Gulf audiences. He noted that over several decades, she contributed significantly to enriching the artistic movement and consolidating Kuwait’s status as a beacon of cultural and artistic creativity.

Al-Jassar emphasized that the late actress was more than just a performer who appeared on screens and stages; she was a model of artistic commitment and a sincere voice that expressed society’s concerns and issues. She carried the message of purposeful art with utmost sincerity, touching the hearts of millions and leaving a creative legacy that will remain present in the memories of future generations.

He clarified that the 50-minute documentary does not merely showcase the artistic and humanitarian milestones in the late actress’s life but offers a visual testimony to the emergence and evolution of Kuwaiti and Gulf art, as well as the artistic and cultural transformations witnessed over the decades, through her rich experience.

The work evokes the actress’s journey from her early beginnings, through the challenges and successes that accompanied her career, drawing on testimonies from a select group of her peers, pioneers of the artistic movement, and archival materials documenting her most prominent works and contributions to shaping collective consciousness and reinforcing authentic values in society.

Al-Jassar pointed out that this commemoration coincides with an important cultural occasion: the reopening of the Dasma Theater, one of Kuwait’s most prestigious theatrical institutions, after completing comprehensive development and maintenance works for its facilities. This step reflects a commitment to preserving cultural infrastructure and enhancing the role of theaters in nurturing creativity and artists.

He praised the strategic partnership between the public and private sectors that contributed to the project’s completion, commending the efforts of the implementing company, Al-Salam First Group, in rehabilitating the theater and presenting it in a modern architectural and artistic style befitting its historical significance and role in the trajectory of Kuwaiti theater.

He affirmed that combining the honoring of one of Kuwaiti art’s pioneers with the reopening of the Dasma Theater embodies loyalty to the symbols of the artistic movement and a commitment to safeguarding its cultural heritage, alongside the development of institutions and facilities that have historically served as incubators for talent and creativity.

For his part, Muaid Al-Zamil stated in his speech that the screening of the documentary "A Life Story" about the veteran actress Haya Al-Fahad represents a gesture of loyalty and appreciation for her prolific career and the indelible mark she left on the hearts of Kuwaiti and Gulf audiences.

He described Haya Al-Fahad as a pyramid among the pillars of art in Kuwait and the Gulf, noting that the film embodies a sense of love and loyalty toward this major artistic figure through testimonies from her colleagues who lived alongside her and accompanied her creative journey.

He added that pioneering artists have contributed immensely to the artistic and cultural movement, and no matter how much honor and commemoration we offer them, it will never fully repay their debt. He expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the family of the late Haya Al-Fahad for their attendance and cooperation in ensuring the success of this documentary work.

In a separate context, Al-Zamil clarified that the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters has adopted a new strategy in recent years aimed at revitalizing theaters and enhancing the role of the private sector in operating and investing in cultural facilities, in collaboration with the Council’s Secretary-General, Dr. Mohammed Al-Jassar. He noted that offering the Dasma Theater for investment represents a first-of-its-kind initiative for the Council, with the Al-Salam Global Group, led by Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Muslem, winning the bid. Dr. Al-Muslem contributed to the theater’s rehabilitation and the development of its facilities to international standards.

The documentary “A Life Story” highlights the key milestones that shaped the presence of artist Haya Al-Fahd in Gulf drama, shedding light on the diversity of her experience in acting and writing, and the characters and artistic works she presented that have remained etched in the public’s memory across generations. The film also combines personal testimonies from artists and critics who witnessed different stages of her career with archival materials that document the evolution of her artistic journey, offering a comprehensive human and artistic portrait of one of the most prominent figures who contributed to shaping the contours of Kuwaiti and Gulf drama.

The film’s production comes within the framework of the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters’ efforts to document pioneering creative experiences, preserve Kuwait’s artistic heritage, highlight the contributions of its pioneers, and transmit their cultural and artistic legacy to future generations. (End) S.H.D. / H.S.S.