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Theatrical Releases Coming to Streaming

Get a closer look at these actors from their many TV and streaming series roles.

Streaming Stars, Then and Now

Yousra is Egypt's most renowned multi-faceted celebrity that has been gracing the silver screen for more than 30 years. Since the 1970s, Yousra starred in some of the most important films in the history of Egyptian cinema. Her roles in films and TV series are trailblazing and continue to influence and inspire generations.

Yousra was also named one of the World's 100 Most Powerful Arab Women and is a member of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences (The Oscars), given her rich cinematic history.

Her social stands and opinions have impacted the public domain in Egypt and the Arab world like no other actress of her generation.

Furthermore, she has received over 80 awards and certificates of appreciation from international film festivals all over the world, most notably the Beirut, Cairo, and Cannes international film festivals.

Yousra also received significant honors from the Royal College of Physicians in London, the Arab World Institute in Paris, and America Abroad Media (AAM) in Washington.

The multi-talented star shines bright in the world of music as well, with several chart-toppers under her belt, including the late hit by Abu, 3 Daqat (3 Heartbeats).

No stranger to fashion, she was Christian Dior's ambassador in the Middle East. Many of Yousra's dresses were tailored by international fashion designers like Stéphane Rolland, Elie Saab, Hany El-Behairy, and Rami Al-Ali.

Yousra's exquisite taste in fashion qualified her to be a judge in various fashion shows, such as the Arab world version of the famous reality TV show Project Runway Middle East alongside Elie Saab.

She was also appointed as an International Advisory Board member of the El-Gouna Film Festival in 2014. Yousra's first appearance in cinema was in A Castle in the Air, which was directed by Abdel Halim Nasr. While a true master of her trade, capable of carrying any film on her own, for many of her fans, her roles with the legendary superstar Adel Emam are the closest to their hearts. The duo worked together in 17 films with sweeping box-office success, including Al-Ensan Yaeesh Mara Wahida (Humans Only Live Once) by Simon Saleh in 1981, Ala Bab El Wazir (On the Minister's Door) by Mohamed Abdel Aziz in 1982, Al-Avokato by Raafat Al-Mihi in 1984, Humans and Djinns by Muhammad Rady in 1985, and Karakon fe Al-Sharea (Station on the Street) by Ahmed Yehia the following year. The last of these films was the 2009's hit Bobbos.

Her countless collaborations with the late screenwriter Wahid Hamed were also a favorite, spanning over nine TV shows and blockbusters such as El Mansy (The Forgotten), The Yacoubian Building, Terrorism and Kebab (El Erhab Wel Kabab), and Birds of Darkness (Toyor El Zalam).

Yousra also starred opposite the late veteran actor Ahmed Zaki in five films and appeared in four of Youssef Chahine's films - An Egyptian Story in 1982, Alexandria: Again and Forever in 1990, Alexandria... New York in 2004, and The Emigrant in 1994. Chahine had a really powerful impact on Yousra, to the extent that she said: "Youssef Chahine's impact on me [was significant] on a personal and a professional level. He was considered more of a school to all the people who worked with him." Yousra also starred alongside renowned international Egyptian actor Omar El-Sharif and superstar Amr Diab in Dehk Wa Le'b Wa Gad Wa Hob (Laughter, Games, Seriousness, and Love).

Additionally, Yousra did an outstanding performance in the 2006 film Yacoubian Building, which is based on the best-selling Arab novel of the same name, in which she portrayed the owner of a restaurant that is favored by what's left of Cairo's aristocrats. with a budget that was the largest in Egypt at the time. Variety magazine characterized Yousra's performance in the film as "effortlessly evoking old romantic memories when she sings La Vie en Rose".

On TV, and particularly in Ramadan, Yousra's TV series has always been a must-see. since Ayna Qalbi (where's my heart" in 2002 and Malak Rohi (my soul, Malak), in 2003, Yousra has always been keen on addressing the most pressing social issues of the hour on her TV series.

Her series also usually showcase fresh talents and promising young stars. One of Yousra's most prominent series is Adiyyeit Raie Aam (A Public Opinion Case), Fi Aid Amina (In Amina's Hands), Sharbat, the Cunning, Foq Mostawa El Shobohat (Above Suspicion), Kheyanet Ahd (The Betrayal of Ahd), and Harb Ahlia (Civil War).

Her serial drama Kheyanet Ahd (The Betrayal of Ahd) aired on TV during Ramadan 2020 to huge success, winning her the DG Best Actress Award and the DG Best Series at the Dear Guest Awards in December 2020.

In the same year, she was honored at the Arab Satellite Festival and the Negm El-Arab Festival. Additionally, Yousra was featured in the official music video of Dokki Ya Mazzika of the fourth El-Gouna Film Festival, where she launched her Hareef Tamsil Campaign (Talented Actor) in collaboration with Orange Egypt. The new service was exclusively dedicated for Orange users, with participants submitting videos in which they played a character inspired by any of Yousra's famous roles. The winner was selected to perform with her in her new series, Harb Ahlya (Civil War) in Ramadan 2021. The serial drama was written by Ahmed Adel, produced by El-Adl Group, and directed by Sameh Abdel-Aziz. Additionally, in Ramadan 2021, she took part in the ad campaign for ZED Park alongside a plethora of Arab stars, including Shereen Reda, Karim Abdel-Aziz, Nelly Kareem, Tara Emad, and Huda El-Mufti. Yousra's film career amounts to over 100 films, the most recent of which is the feature film Saheb El Maqam (The Enshrined Saint), which was directed by Mohamed El-Adl and premiered on Shahid to tremendous success. The film starred Asser Yassin, Amina Khalil, and Bayoumi Fouad opposite Yousra, marking her comeback to films since Game Over in 2012. Using her fame for a good cause, Yousra is a social activist who gives back to the community and helps raise awareness and supports many social causes.

"Poverty is one of the most important issues in the world, and it is the key to agony; therefore, if we can decrease the forms of poverty that we come across, I believe our sorrow will also decrease, and so will violence against children and women, which is a major concern, along with education and the environment," she once said. She was chosen by the United Nations to be the Regional UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador, as she has been known for her participation in social activities with many civil society organizations. Consequently, Yousra received more than 50 awards in recognition of her work as a UNDP goodwill ambassador. She contributed her time and effort to Coptic Orphans - a non-profit organization based in Merrifield, Virginia, in order to support Egyptian orphans. In 2007, the organization presented her the Ideal Award as a tribute for her efforts and time spent aiding children. "Out of over 50 awards that I've received, this one is the one closest to my heart," Yousra stated. Yousra also took part in the 500-500 Ramadan campaign to support cancer patients. Recently - within her role as a Goodwill Ambassador - Yousra participated in the opening ceremony of a 16-day campaign under the theme 'Orange the World: #HearMeToo; End Violence against Women and Girls' at the General Secretariat of the League of Arab States in collaboration with the UN to highlight the issues of gender equality and the empowerment of women. Most recently, Yousra participated in the third Awladna International Forum for Arts of the Gifted, which aims to provide gifted children with special needs with a platform to enrich and showcase their artistic talents and empower them and their families. During the opening ceremony, Yousra performed her new song Anta Qadha (You Can Do It) amid a large number of children with special needs on stage. Additionally, Yousra attended the first edition of Red Sea International Film Festival (RSIFF), delivering a masterclass to educate movie enthusiasts and talk about her amazing journey, which was held after the screening of one of her most iconic films, Strawberry War, which was restored with the support of the Red Sea Film Festival Foundation. Yousra also continued her strong Ramadan streak by starring in Ahlam Saeeda (Happy Dreams) in 2022 alongside Ghada Adel, Mai Kassab, and Shaimaa Seif. The comedy series was written by Hala Khalil and directed by Amr Arafa. In 2022, Yousra was honored at the opening ceremony of the second edition of the RSIFF, receiving the GOLD YUSR Honorary Award. Most recently, she also starred in the 2023 Ramadan season drama 1000 HAMDELLAH A'LA EL SALAMA. Moreover, she's expecting the release of her latest off-season show ROSE & LAILA and film LEILET EL EID, both of which are due for release sometime in 2023.

Youssra in Alexandria: Again and Forever (1989)

Awards

Youssra

Taormina International Film Festival

Marrakech International Film Festival

Cairo National Festival for Egyptian Cinema

Cairo Arab Media Festival

Murex D'Or

Malmö Arab Film Festival

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