By: Yomna Walid
Photo Credit:&nbsp;اسلام مبارك / Eslam Mobark&nbsp;'s official Facebook page&nbsp;
Sudanese actress Islam Mubarak created a special bond with the Egyptian audiences through two recent roles; Her standout performance as &ldquo;Madina from Nigeria&rdquo; in "Ashgal Shaqa Gedan" and her powerful role in "Siret Ahl El-Daye" (The Tale of Daye&rsquo;s Family), written by Haitham Dabour and directed by Karim El-Shenawy. Islam was awarded a Special Jury Prize at the Arab Hollywood Film Festival. The movie was also screened at the Berlin Film Festival.
Mubarak had an unforgettable participation in&nbsp;&nbsp;"You Will Die at 20", the first Sudanese film to be nominated for an Oscar. Her vibrant and unforgettable performance resonated deeply with critics and audiences worldwide.
In an exclusive interview with Nile FM, Islam reflected on her journey, cultural identity, and aspirations for Sudanese cinema, expressing how cultural background continues to inspire and guide her career.
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&ldquo;Seret Ahl El Daye&rdquo; (The Tale of Daye&rsquo;s Family)
How did you receive the news of winning the Special Jury Prize at the Arab Hollywood Film Festival on your role in Seret Ahl El Daye?
Winning the Special Jury Prize at the Arab Hollywood Film Festival on my role in &lsquo;Daye&rsquo;, means a great deal to me. It represents both, artistic maturity and the start of a new phase in my career.
What attracted you to the story of Daye? And how did you find presenting a character from a family on a difficult journey from Aswan to Cairo?
What attracted me most to the story was the depth of its humanity &mdash; how it highlights the real and underrepresented presence of people with albinism in our communities. The script offered a rare opportunity to dive into their world, understand their emotions, and explore how they relate to those around them.
How would you describe your experience working with director Karim El Shenawy?
Working with director Karim El Shenawy was a great enriching experience. He&rsquo;s a director who knows exactly what he wants and always chooses scripts with strong social angles. His unique touch was present in every aspect of the film. It was an honor to be part of a cast with such diverse acting backgrounds. Being part of international festivals like Berlinale and Red Sea was another personal milestone &mdash; a confirmation of my presence not only in the Arab film scene but also on a broader, more global level.
What does the Sudanese woman represent to you?
My role reminded me of the power and resilience of Sudanese women who, despite political and social struggles, remain pillars of courage, beauty, and perseverance across all fields, not just in cinema. I believe that my character sends a clear message to every woman suffering in silence: &lsquo;We do not have the luxury of collapsing&rsquo;.
Any upcoming projects?
Right now, I&rsquo;m preparing for a number of projects; some completed, some in progress, and others still in the early discussion phase. I will continue to appear in Egyptian productions, especially after the success of "Ashgal Shaqa Gedan"
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&ldquo;Madina from Nigeria&rdquo; &nbsp;in &ldquo;Ashgal Shaqa Gedan&rdquo;
Did you expect such success to your role as 'Madina'?
I never expected the overwhelming response to &ldquo;Madina.&rdquo; Seeing the character go viral and resonate with so many people has been both surprising and joyful. The phrase &ldquo;Madina from Nigeria&rdquo; turned into a widespread meme, and I followed the reactions closely on social media. There was great love to Madina.
Take us &nbsp;behind-the-scenes of &ldquo;Ashgal Shaqa Gedan&rdquo;
Behind the scenes, we had lots of fun and laughter. It felt more like being part of a large, supportive family than just a cast.
How was it working with Hesham Maged and Asmaa Galal? Was there any improvisation?
Working with Hesham Maged and Asmaa Galal was a pleasure &mdash; everyone was incredibly kind and collaborative. The role of &ldquo;Madina&rdquo; didn&rsquo;t require much improvisation since the character was already well-defined, but director Khaled Diab gave us space to add or adjust things under his guidance, which made the process even more enjoyable.
&nbsp;
&ldquo;You will die at 20&rdquo;
&ldquo;You Will Die at 20&rdquo; was an important milestone for you in the cinema. How was that experience?
&ldquo;You Will Die at 20&rdquo; was my first film after a long journey in the TV industry, and I consider it the foundation of my cinematic career. The film holds a very special place in my heart. Every detail of the experience was rich and meaningful.
&ldquo;You will die at 20&rdquo;was screened at major festivals like Venice and El Gouna. How did that influence your artistic journey?
Participating in major festivals like Venice and El Gouna was a huge achievement, especially considering the years I spent acting without the chance to do cinema due to my country&rsquo;s circumstances. This film was the dream I thought was impossible, and it came true by God&rsquo;s grace.
&nbsp;
On Sudanese Representation and Cultural Identity
How do you see the presence of Sudanese actors in today&rsquo;s Arab film scene? Do you feel there&rsquo;s progress in how Sudanese identity is represented in arts and media?
The presence of Sudanese actors in the Arab film scene, although it was overdue , is finally gaining momentum. Sudanese talents are rich and capable, but political and economic challenges have hindered their visibility. I believe this is just the beginning, &nbsp;the world is about to witness a powerful Sudanese emergence in cinema. After years of artistic stagnation, we are now exploring our voice again, and the number of awards won by Sudanese films; whether features, short, or documentaries &mdash; proves that growth and renewal are underway.
Should art have geographic or cultural limits?
Let me answer with questions: Do the arts have geographic boundaries? Should an actor be confined to a specific cultural identity?
We must work towards reviving Sudanese cinema, not just restoring it to its former glory, but surpassing it. I believe this is a right owed to the country that gave me my identity and shaped my soul.
You were born in Khartoum and have starred in major Egyptian productions. How do you balance your Sudanese cultural identity with being part of the Egyptian entertainment scene?
Being born in Khartoum and working in prominent Egyptian productions has required a delicate balance between my Sudanese cultural identity and my place in the Egyptian entertainment world. But I see this duality as a strength.
Do you have any upcoming projects in Sudan? Are you aiming to contribute to the revival or development of Sudanese cinema?
I do have plans to work on projects in Sudan, and I strongly believe in the importance of reviving Sudanese cinema, not just restoring it, but building it into something even greater. This is my obligation to the country that shaped my identity and spirit.
&nbsp;
Aspirations and the Road Ahead
What is your dream role?
Every role I&rsquo;ve played touches me . My true passion lies in characterization &mdash; I long for roles that offer genuine emotional truth. There are still dream roles I haven&rsquo;t yet explored, and I hope time will allow me to bring them to life.
If you sum up your professional journey so far in one sentence, what would it be?
What drives me is a combination of passion, perseverance, trust in myself, tireless effort, and deep faith in God. If I had to summarize my journey in one sentence, I&rsquo;d say: &lsquo; Passion, resilience, confidence and effort without despair and with full faith in God&rsquo;

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