Mona Hala … The Rebellious

Her characters in her dramas don’t reflect her sense of humor. Mona Hala managed to find a special place for herself among the actresses of the same generation with her lovable, childish spontaneous spirit. She refuses to be a passive submissive girl who accepts the humiliating reality,  fights for her rights no matter what, refuses restrictions and believes in the freedom dipped in dignity. In love, she makes no compromises but she may sacrifice when the other partner deserves it. It’s Mona Hala speaking up her mind about numerous issues. Let’s discover more about this young rebellious actress.

• You played the role of Elham in the SITCOM “7aramt ya baba”, tell us about your role?
•  I played the role of ELham, a tough, helpful but opportunist girl who behaves in an aggressive way with others, and participates in many projects for money but to no avail.
• What attracted you to such role? Is it because it’s close to your real personality?
• Actually, what attracted me is that it’s comedy and this is very rare, few actresses play comic roles and the role was new for me.
• How do you choose your roles?
• I choose roles that are completely different from the real me. Unfortunately, directors always see me as that descent and calm girl, although my real personality is completely far from this. In fact, they restrict me to some certain roles while my aim is to get out all the energy inside me.
• Which roles reflect your real personality? Mona Hala’s personality?
• Any character that represents a strong personality. In fact, I am a very strong person. I fight for my rights and never surrender whatever the consequences are. I don’t like the roles of submissive girls or those who give in to reality and commit to silence. I’m kinda rebellious.
• Is this due to your Austrian liberal origins, the country that believes in women absolute freedom?
• Yes, maybe, but the fact is that Arab women didn’t yet get their rights. They still live with injustice and oppression. Unfortunately, this is the reality! All what seminars and conferences on women rights come about isn’t yet put into effect. It’s just ink on paper.
• What are the causes that busy your mind as an actress?
• I like to do political roles, which strongly shows reality. But unfortunately, when you perform a real character, for example, a non-lovable or traitor person, people hate you, some of them accuse us of falsifying the truth, and that we’re doing bad to the reputation of Egyptian girls. This happens all over the world. However, if we didn’t discuss such problems, it would further aggravate. I think that Arab community in general oppresses women in many fields. It’s enough that you are treated as a second-class citizen in any relationship. According to this concept; women and men would never be on the same scale, although God created us equal in everything.
• What about your experience now with the short movie “Emta El Zaman Yesma7” directed by Mariam Mekawi?
• I love short movies because they aren’t subject to censorship. My point is that censorship doesn’t go well with creativity. If the creator has restrictions, s/he will lose any creativity. I worked in many short movies before like “ Awrak el-Nada” “Beit La7m”, “ 3n Kareeb” on which I was awarded the best actress. Now I’m working on “Emtah El Zaman Yesma7” film, and I consider it a very good experience and I’m so thrilled about it.
• Do you think of producing your own dramas? Surely, if I have the money I would do it. I wish to present a good program for children as “yalla Beena” which I did when I was sixteen. It was awarded the best program for children. Actually there was an idea I & Adel Heki had together about a children program but I’m not sure he might go on with it after we broke up.
• What’s your opinion about actresses who produce for themselves? Those who tailor roles according to their perceptions when they are perfect to the extent of exaggeration?
• Generally; I don’t like idealism in acting. There are actors who will soon act as angels in their coming roles as they always play ideal characters that are forever perfect and never in the wrong!! We are human beings and if we don’t respect being human beings with all our merits & flaws, it’s better for us to stop acting rather than playing roles of people who don’t exist.
•  In your life; what is the most valuable thing you earned and the dearest thing you lost?
• The most valuable thing I earned is my success in my studies and my career as an actress. I don’t mind being attacked as long as I’m doing what I’m fully convinced with. What I lost is the love of some people especially after some daring roles of mine. Unfortunately, people judge actors by their roles as they don’t know the real you.
• Off The Record
• Is it true that you broke up with your fiancée Adel Heki?
• Yes, it’s true, Adel is a very respectable man and I wish him luck in his life. We didn’t come through because of the big difference in age between us which created differences of mentalities. I hope he could find someone who would make him happy. He is so kind and deserves to live with someone who does love him. I couldn’t provide him with enough love and care, and he also was not able to provide me with the freedom I needed so we ended our relationship.
• Tell us about your first love story?
• The first love story was when I was 21, I can’t forget about it till now. No one can get into my life and fill the space he has left, or even be like him.
• Does that mean that you are now missing love in your life?
• I’m now just out of a relationship which didn’t work. It’s not easy to quickly start or end relationships. But if I found a gentle man who respects me, my thoughts, culture, work and my freedom; he’ll be my hero and I’ll love him. The dilemma is that Arab men always want to control your mind and I got used to be independent , regardless of being female, and whoever has no respect for this has no place in my life.
• What’s your favorite brand or do you look for what looks good on you regardless of the brand name?
• I don’t go for some brands in particular, but I like “Vero Moda”, “Promod”, “Timberland”. Generally, I prefer the old fashion like skirts and dresses, unfortunately girls lost their identity when they started wearing jeans.
• Is this the reason why you often wear old-style dresses?
• Yes, because women represent femininity. They are dresses that highlight femininity not jeans.

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