Egyptian Star Mona Zaki Reflects on Three Decades of Reinvention as El Gouna Honors Her Career: ‘Art Is About Freedom’

Egyptian actor Mona Zaki received the Career Achievement Award at the 9th El Gouna Film Festival, but says she sees her career as an ongoing process of reinvention. She argues that artists need freedom to change, and has repeatedly challenged the audience expectations shaped by her early “girl next door” roles.

A turning point came with the 2009 film *Scheherazade, Tell Me a Story*, in which she played a television host exploring women’s lives and social expectations; the role drew backlash. Zaki says she still struggles to find meaningful scripts that address subjects considered taboo, particularly for women, and believes Egyptian actresses deserve more opportunities to explore such themes. She develops each character’s background and works with an acting coach on every project.