Salma Hayek arrives at Cairo International Film Festival
Technology
Salma Hayek arrives at Cairo International Film Festival
Actors Samuel L. Jackson, Lucy Liu, and Salma Hayek were among the big Hollywood names who joined biggest film stars of the Arab world for the gala opening of the 33rd Cairo International Film Festival, with the festival set to showcase some of the region's top talents. Liu was escorted up the red carpet by Egyptian actor and festival director Ezzat Abo Auf while Hayek, who is of Lebanese origin, getting the most attention from the local press. At a news conference at the festival, Hayek, the first Mexican actress to be nominated for an Oscar for her portrayal of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, said that she was hopeful that relations with the Arab world and the West would improve during the Obama administration. Hayek, who said she was looking for a role as a Middle Eastern woman to play but had not found one yet, said that despite perceptions of the Middle East abroad, she felt very safe in Egypt. Fifty one countries have entered films in the competition this year, but it was the presence of some of Hollywood's A-list talent on the red carpet that has been causing waves. Although no contemporary Egyptian films are in competition, in an effort, organizers say, to make sure films are not entered only because they are locally produced, Egyptian director Shadi Abdel Salam's 1969 landmark film Night of Counting the Years or 'The Mummy', which has been newly restored, opened the festival. The 33rd Cairo International Film Festival ends on 20th November.
