Khaberni - Director Muhammad Abdel Aziz narrated the story of artist Adel Imam's refusal to participate in the movie “Some Go to the Ma'zoun Twice,” noting that he had to convince him in an unconventional way.
During the Cairo Cinema Industry Days held within the framework of the 46th Cairo International Film Festival, Egyptian director Muhammad Abdel Aziz revealed during the seminar "Secrets of Comedy Making" special details about the backstage of his films with star Adel Imam, pointing out that Imam initially refused the starring role in the movie "Some Go to the Ma'zoun Twice" convinced that it would not succeed, but Abdel Aziz insisted on his participation despite the objection.
The director explained that he moved the filming of the movie to Alexandria, where Adel Imam was performing a play there, and went to him accompanied by one of the assistant directors who carried the film's script. Imam was surprised by their entrance and his repeated refusal, so Abdel Aziz told him in a decisive tone: "You're going to do it whether you like it or not."
Abdel Aziz added that Adel Imam was not enthusiastic during the filming and remained convinced of the movie's failure until the third day of work. However, after the movie was screened in cinemas, he was surprised by the large audience turnout. Abdel Aziz took him to attend the six o'clock evening screening at one of the theaters and watched the audience's interaction with the comedy scenes. Imam then joked saying, "This isn't the script I read."
The director also talked about the movie "Be Careful of Your Neighbors," explaining that its lead role was initially offered to another actress who later apologized, so he decided to assign the role to actress Lebleba, noting that the movie was shown in an obscure cinema but achieved great success and continued showing for 32 consecutive weeks.
Abdel Aziz confirmed that he does not rely on direct comedy in his works, but prefers that the comedy arises from the development of events and situations within the movie, explaining that comedy chose him, and he did not pursue it. He also mentioned that his relationship with Adel Imam started a long time ago before Imam became a box office star, when Abdel Aziz was then a beginning assistant director.
In her turn, actress Lebleba said during the seminar that director Muhammad Abdel Aziz taught her the art of comedic performance in front of the camera without exaggeration or vulgarity, explaining that the actress Magda was the reason for her introduction to him, as she saw in her a talent that deserves to cooperate with a director who possesses a distinct artistic sense.
Lebleba added that Abdel Aziz was the first to present her in a leading female role through the movie "Be Careful of Your Neighbors," and directed her on how to control her movements during filming, and how to distinguish between theatrical and comedic performance to achieve a precise dramatic balance.
The seminar was attended by a number of art stars, including Hussein Fahmy, Lebleba, Elham Shaheen, Bossy Shalaby, Sabri Fawaz, and Salwa Mohamed Ali, who participated in discussions about the development of comedy in Egyptian cinema and its different directorial styles.
