Former Miss Lebanon turned actress Nadine Njeim is one of the most accomplished, elegant and serious-minded actresses of her generation. After forming an on-screen charismatic duo with the Syrian star Taim Hasan for over three years, Nadine will return to our screens with the “monster” of Arab drama Abed Fahed in a new Ramadan TV series produced by the “Alsabbah” company. The series is based on a novel by Naguib Mahfouz which was made into a film in the 80s with Egyptian actors Najla Fathi and Mahmoud Yassin.
In an interview with Majalla, Nadine talked about her new series, the Arab showbiz industry and what it means to be an Arab woman.
by Nour ElHoda
Having played several leading roles, do you classify yourself as a Lebanese star or an Arab star?
It is not for me to categorize myself, my work and achievements are what categorize me. I came out of Lebanon as an Arab star and I am always referred to as a "Lebanese Arab Star". I don’t think about being number 1 as this is not my way of thinking. I always want to maintain the level I am at today and get better and better, that is how I see things. If we are to always think about being number one, this will hurt our psychological well-being.
Which title is more important, beauty queen or queen of drama?
(Laughs) Being Miss Lebanon was an important stage in my life. People still remember my time as Miss Lebanon well but today I have become a professional actress and I am in a different place now. I have a profession that I love and loves me, and that I am passionate about. However, this does not erase my past as my past shaped my future.
In your view, how has Arab drama benefited Lebanese actors?
To be honest there is a good mix of nationalities and this has benefited everyone. It has benefited producers in marketing and profits, directors, and Lebanese, Syrian and Egyptian actors. Today we are following in the footsteps of Western countries, we have become a like united state and it is not wrong for us to work together on projects. I feel that it benefits everyone in a beautiful way. It gives us more experience and when the industry is open to all, profits increase.
Who would you say is the Nadine Njeim’s godfather, Marwan Haddad or Sadek al-Sabah?
I have been through many stages in my life, and I have worked with many producers other than Marwan Haddad, including Ziad Choueri. But my biggest and most successful roles were all with Sadek al-Sabah. I consider the Godfather of my most successful works was Sadek al-Sabah.
Despite the many years and TV series that have brought you and the Syrian star Taim Hassan together, and despite the fact you make a wonderful duo, you went back to working with the star Abed Fahed. Why don’t you work with newcomers?
I don’t have a problem with anyone. What is important to me is that I work with people who are charismatic and professional, regardless of their nationality or whether they are a big name. What matters to me is that they have the appropriate qualities to make the project complete.
How difficult was is for the “Heiba” team to find a replacement for Nadine Njeim, especially as she would be compared to you?
Honestly, I am unaware of what is going on with “Heiba”. I am focusing on my series “Tareek” where I am playing the lead role. I honestly don’t know what is happening with “Heiba.” The new actress could be better. I don’t know if the comparisons will be in her favor or not. I have no idea. In the end this is something that has happened many times in the past where the lead actor of a series changes, sometimes people accept them and sometimes they don’t.
Are you afraid of being compare to Najla Fathi in your new series and do you consider this a risky move?
Of course I will not try to imitate her. I will present the character in my own way, in the way that I see her. Stories today are repeated several times and several actors play the same character but every actor plays the character in a different way according to their own outlook. For this reason I am not worried, particularly as I have played roles in the past that have been played by Hollywood actors before me, such as Angelina Jolie and others, and I did not imitate them and I was not compared. I played the role in the way that I see it. This is what will happen with my new role.
What is your opinion on Lebanese cinema today?
I am very proud of what Lebanese cinema has achieved. One of the latest films I saw was “Qadeya Raqam 23” by the Director Ziad Doueiri. The storyline, the dialogue, the cinematography, the directing, and the actors - it is a wonderful film. Particularly the scenes filmed in court, they are some of the most powerful. I congratulate them on the awards and God willing they will win an Oscar because they deserve to receive international awards.
You said in an old interview that it is not possible for anyone to make it Hollywood. Is this one of your aspirations and is it important to you?
Of course it means a lot to me. I always think about this. I have to work harder to get my name and my image out there and it is always on my mind. I always say that the things you desire to will come true one day. It means a lot and it is important to every Arab actor.
What are your impressions of Lebanese and Arab writers?
We have important and creative writers. When I watched the film “Qadeya Raqam 23,” which was written by Doueiri and his wife Joelle Touma, it became apparent to me that we have writers in Lebanon that meet international standards. Honestly, I have never seen anything of this standard in Lebanese cinema or even Arab cinema. Writers in Lebanon just need support and real opportunities. I am not trying to suck up to anyone but I am an optimistic person, even if there are shortcomings I don’t feel discouraged. I love to encourage and I love to always put out positive energy. Even if drama has failed in some aspects it doesn’t mean that it has failed completely. I cannot judge Lebanese dramas according to the projects that have failed. I always look at the glass half full.
Beauty pageant contestants have a stereotype of not being very smart. Why is this the case?
Beauty pageant questions need a professor or sometimes a political analyst to answer them. Contestants are undergoing a new experience standing on stage, in the spotlight, in front of a camera. It is normal for them to be nervous, especially as they are not accustomed to it. They are asked questions from Mars. We should keep things simpler. In most cases simple questions can demonstrate someone’s intuition and intelligence better.
Former Miss Lebanon Rahf Abdulla said that Nadine Njeim's experience encouraged her to try acting, what would you say to her?
I wish her success, and if she loves this profession and the profession she loves her, I hope that she perseveres. This industry is for everyone and everybody has their own lane. I am proud of everyone that works and advances.
Is your daughter aware that you are a famous actress?
She does not know as she only four years old and cannot comprehend it. When she sees me on the TV she is surprised that I am next to her and on the screen at the same time. She is young and doesn’t know what fame is.
A final word for your fans in the Arab world
Congratulations to Saudi women, I am very happy that they are allowed to drive. I am happy that they were granted their right. I am happy with all the successes of Arab women on personal and professional levels, and on political, economic and community levels. I am proud to be an Arab woman particularly as we have Arab women in important positions in the world who contribute to the development of society, whether through education or culture, to build a wise and civilized generation. If women did not progress and persevere we would not have reached this stage and we would not have begun to be granted our rights, or even to contribute to changing laws. I am proud and I say to every Arab woman you are strong. We will only be successful if we unite. Our strength is in our unity: "one hand does not clap alone." Every strong and successful woman should support another woman who needs her. We are stronger together.
