CAIRO - The Egyptian revolution will have a noticeable effect on actors, producers and their artistic work. “The revolution will open the way for many producers to document this important era and the swift political changes,” Mohie Zayad, an Egyptian producer, told the Egyptian Mail in an interview over the phone. “Films like Rod Qalbi (Return to Life), which was produced in 1957, five years after the July 23 revolution, documented admirably the political upheaval at the time. People still watch it to this day.” Revolutionaries have blacklisted a number of actors and actresses and posted their names on the social networking site Facebook, because of their pro-Mubarak statements. Many Egyptian stars, such as Menna Shalaby and Ahmed el-Saqqa, Mohamed Heinedy and Hani Ramzy, were pro-regime. They are entitled to their own opinion, but it seems they may be less successful in the future because of this. Zayad said that although the current circumstances could have an impact on some stars' popularity, there was a question of supply and demand. “Many stars are intelligent enough to choose a role that is in tune with the current situation,” Zayad added, noting that the producers would also bear in mind what the fans wanted. On the other hand, the huge fees paid to certain stars provoked anger among ordinary Egyptians, who thought that pro-Mubarak actors were just looking after their own interests and not the country's. Zayad thought that producers couldn't just lower the pay of certain actors based on their political views. “Difference of opinion does not affect the dealings between producers and entertainers. At the end of the day, we have to remember that the artistic sector includes about one million individuals who are all in the same boat,” he added. “A positive impact on the cinema industry is that bigger sums will be allocated to good-quality productions rather than bad films with a poor cast,” said actress Jehan Fadel, who was among the anti-Mubarak protesters in Al Tahrir Square. “Actors need to be treated fairly and chosen according to experience and quality. Their pay has to reflect these criteria.” Fadel added that the revolution would have an effect on many areas; actors should be patient. The bad conditions they experienced under the Mubarak regime would only slowly disappear. More freedom of expression in the artistic field would eventually come about. However, some producers are pessimistic about the future. “I think that production will slow down for two years, due to the country's poor financial circumstances,” producer Mohamed Mokhtar told this newspaper. Basma, Youssra el-Lozi, Asser Yassin and Karim Assem have gained new popularity and are predicted to get a big piece of movie cake in the coming period. Other actors may lose their fans, due to their contradictory behaviour and statements during the 18-day revolution. “My respect for actors who expressed their honest views will not change, whatever their political opinion,” Ahmed Maher, 29, an engineer, told the Egyptian Mail. But he was "disgusted" with actors like Talaat Zakaria and others who accused the protesters of taking drugs and committing sinful acts. “These actors will be rejected by the audience,” Maher added. Hager Ahmed, an arts student, thought that actors would be affected by the revolution. “How can I trust those who fight the revolution. The regime created a fertile ground for artistic corruption,” Hager added. Mona Fathi, a housewife, told this newspaper that she switched the TV off when she saw actresses like Ghada Abdel Razeq in one of her series and movies. Although Abdel Razeq didn't get involved in political activities, she among the pro-Mubarak demonstrators.
