Menna Shalabi

Menna Shalaby (Arabic: منة شلبي‎; born Mennat Allah Hesham Shalaby; Arabic: منة الله هشام شلبي, on 24 July 1982) is an Egyptian actress featured in numerous movies. Shalaby is the daughter of the famous dancer: Zizi Mustafa.

Menna Shalaby is one of the most sought after Egyptian actresses of her generation.With passion and commitment for the field, she has managed to grace it with her talent and beauty, living different experiences through versatile characters she plays. She has managed to accomplish a lot more than other stars at a young age in a short period of time. A time filled with a wide array of exciting roles that constantly show us how multitalented she is.

Menna was subjected to fame at young age through her mother, dancer Zizi Mustafa. Making it in as an actress, though, was a dream she had and fought for on her own. Her first film was Al Saher (The Magician), directed by Radwan El Kashef whom she considered her godfather. Radwan taught Menna more than she could imagine. He shaped the way she perceives cinema and how to undergo the process of characterisation, where she becomes one with the character and not merely an actor playing a role.

Her first appearance landed her roles in films such as Iw’a Wishak (Watch Out!), Film Hindi (Indian Film), Kallem Mama (Call Mom), and Ahla Al Awkat (The Best of Times). Menna was and continues to be influenced by great directors and screen legends she stars alongside. In Baheb Elcima (I Love Cinema), even though she didn’t have a big role, Menna benefitted a lot and holds the experience, with director Osama Fawzy, dear to her heart. Her role in Inta Omry was another milestone for her. Khaled Youssef was an inspiring mentor to her.

Afterwards, she appeared in Abo El Arabi Wasal (Abo El Arabi Arrived), Ahlam Omrena (The Dreams of Our Lives), as well as Banat Wist ElBalad (Downtown Girls). The latter, directed by Mohamed Khan, allowed her to star with another young sensation, the talented Hind Sabry. It was a new and enlightening experience for Menna. After starring in Montaha El Lazza (Life is Great), she was ready for yet another life changing experience. Her work with Kamla Abu Zekry on An Eleshq Wel Hawa (Of Love and Passion) provided her great pleasure and enjoyment. Kamla was able to fuse chemistry and harmony flawlessly in her film and Menna was gladly a part of it.

She moved on to play prominent roles in Wahed Men Elnas (One of the People), Ouija, Fi Mahatet Masr (At the Cairo Station), Al Awerla fel Gharam (First Grade Love), and Heya Fawda (Chaos), an acclaimed film by the renowned late director Youssef Chahine. This film was another phenomenal one that gave her a notable boost in her promising career. She then starred in two remarkable films alongside the witty and gifted actor Ahmed Helmy. These films, Keda Reda (This is Good) and Asef Ala Alizaag (Sorry for the Disturbance), were exceptional and original and they were very well received. She continued to wow the audience with innovative roles and took on that of a drug addict in Badal Fa’ed (The Replacement). Her convincing and astounding performance gained her even more respect and appreciation from her fans.

Menna starred in Noor Einy (My Darling), Microphone, an unprecedented indie by the talented Ahmed Abdallah, Eza'at Hubb (Radio Love), and most recently Bibo w Beshir, a light comedy. Although Ba’d ElMawqeia (After the Battle) is yet to be released. Menna describes her work with director Yousry Nasrallah, a pedagogue to her, as pivotal to her career. She considers her part in this movie a portal that completely transformed and reinvented her.

Menna played some noteworthy roles in TV as well, appearing in series such as the superb Hadith AlSabah Wal Masaa, Ayna Qalby, Le Dawaiy Amneyah, El Banat, Sekket El Helaly and Harb El Gawasis.

The stunning Menna Shelaby has won several awards to commemorate her achievements. She was awarded Best Actress at the National Film Festival for Egyptian Cinema for her role in Al Saher in 2001; Best actress at the Catholic Center for Egyptian Cinema for her role in Banat Wust Elbalad in 2007; Best Actress at the National Film Festival for Egyptian Cinema for her role in An Eleshk Wel Hawa in 2007; Special Award at the Damascus Film Festival for her role in Banat Wust Elbalad (Downtown Girls) Film 2007; Special Mention at the Alexandria Film Festival for her role in Wahed men Elnas in 2009; and finally, Best Actress in a leading role at the ART Oscar for her role in Harb El Gawasees TV series in 2009.

Menna strives to find compelling roles through new and fresh characters. She finds herself within each character and serves it well by being instead of acting it. Menna’s brilliant accomplishments guarantee an even brighter future; one filled with new enthralling roles. The only constant she keeps is her ability to change and be the competent, versatile actress that she is.

Filmography

• After the Battle (2012)
• Bebo we basheer (2011) as Bebo
• Ezaet hob (2011) as Laila
• Noor Einy (My Darling)(2010) as Sara
• Badal Faqed (The Replacement)(2009) as Mai
• Asef Ala Al Izaag (Sorry for the Disturbance)(2008) as Farida/Mariam
• Keda Reda (This is good) (2007) as Nada/Nadia
• Heya fawda (Chaos)(2007) as Nour
• Alawela fel Gharam (First Grade Love)(2007) as Sondos
• Fe Mehatet Masr (At the Cairo Station)(2007) as Malak
• Ouija (2006) as Mariam
• Wahed men El Nas (One of the people)(2006) as Mona
• An El Eshq Wel Hawa (2006) as Salma
• Montaha El Lazza (Life is great)(2006) as Mona
• Banat West Albalad (Downtown Girls) (2005) as Yasmin
• Ahlam Omrena (2005) as Noha
• Abo El Arabi Wasal (2005) as Mohga
• Enta omry (You're My Life)(2004) as Hend
• Baheb El Cima (I Love Cinema) (2004) as Nousa
• Ahla Wl Awkat (The Best of Times) (2004) as Doha
• Kallem mama (Call Mom) (2003) as Mona
• Film Hindi (Indian Film)(2003) as Mona
• Iw'a Wishshak (Watch Your Face) (2003) as Nour
• Saher, Al (The Illusionist/The Magician) (2001) as Nour

TV

• "Niran Sadiqa" (2013) as Amira
• "Harb Al Jawasees" (2009) as Samia
• "Sekket El Helaly" (2008) as Nancy
• "Banat, El" (2003) as Menna
• "Ayna qalbi" (2002) as Tooha
• "Lidawa3y Amnia" (2002) as Sahar

See also

• Cinema of Egypt

External links

• Menna Shalabi at the Internet Movie Database