Was your first television appearance on Gedid Fi Gedid and Soup and Snacks programs?

Yes, it was my first appearance in front of the camera.

Your participation in the program of Soup and Snacks was a coincidence; please tell us more about it?

Yes it was completely by coincidence, the show idea was about an old lady (about Andrew’s mother age) she was going to be with him on the show. It was agreed and going this way until there was a disagreement with this lady few days before filming the show. At that time I was the production manager of Fatafeat channel. I contacted Mr. Youssef El Deeb (Chairman and founder of Fatafeat) while he was out of the country at that time, I informed him of the problem so he offered me to fill her space at the show. In the beginning I thought he was joking but he assured me that I’m the most appropriate person that can support Andrew, especially because I was present at his performance test and I will be the ideal person in dealing with him and that’s how it happened.

After the big success of the four seasons of Soup and Snacks program, will there be a fifth season?

First I would like to thank all Soup & Snacks program audience of the four seasons. Their love made us come up with new ideas from recipes, and the way we communicated with each other. I think that the fourth season was very successful and like any other non Arabic channel (Western) a successful show stop it production at the peak of it’s success, such as Oprah Winfrey and Friends and many others shows. For sure I’m not comparing Soup & Snacks to them but just as an example, Fatafeat management adopted this pattern and decided to stop the program at the peak of it’s success and produce an individual program for each of us. As for the fifth season, currently there is no intention to do so, but it is possible that there will be a return of Andrew and Darine together in different views, but I do not think it will be soon.

Soup and Snacks and Embassies and Spices programs are totally different but what distinguishes each of them for you?

For me Soup & Snacks program was a special program of Andrew. I was the supportive element for Andrew in the program. The program was based on being together and interact personalities in front of the camera. The program was close to my heart because it’s the first program I do but it was not close to my personality. It was difficult to explain to viewers that I’m not Andrew’s translator. This uses to bothers me but at the same time I use to enjoy my time with Andrew and it was a great experience. Embassies and Spices program was close to my heart and my personality. Everything I did in this program was from my heart and mind while I’m introducing people to countries through my life perspective. I was so comfortable because I behave naturally in front of the camera without makeup or affectation and my real feelings were shown all the time.

What are the funny moments that you experience during filming Embassies and Spices?

What I remember most in Embassies and Spices program is what didn’t air on TV. The last day of filming, or rather the last moment when we said CUT CAMERA suddenly it started to rain heavily. I and the working team were near a river and we stood in the rain playing, having fun and laughing. We felt that the world and all the people are celebrating with us the end of the program. I also recall when I was in the Floating Market I got to know an elderly Chinese woman I began talking to her. She told me that no one knocked on her door all her life to assure if she’s fine and now you are asking me how I feel. This thing affected me a lot.

You are programs and production director in Fatafeat channel. Tell us how did you start working with Fatafeat?

I began with Takhayal Entertainment as the director of Film section but unfortunately after a short period this department was closed. Mr. Youssef El Deeb asked if I can take over production management of Fatafeat channel and for me that was a challenge. My love and passion is cinema and not television. I like to challenge myself so I decided to have this experience. After four years of program and production management I was promoted to become channel manager. The challenge remains.

You were the interior designer of Wala Bel Ahlam Cuisine Food program. Do you have a background about that or is it your first time?

I don’t have any experience with interior design and décor. It was new for me and if any person depends on his ability of creation and creativity it’s possible to take advantage of them in many fields. This experience was for me as choosing clothes and standing in front of the mirror everyday, coordinating colors, the style and look.

You have directed several programs on Fatafeat, do you prefer television directing or film directing? And what's the difference?

Of course I prefer film directing. The difference between the two is that television directing depends on particular structure throughout all the episodes. Episode one is like episode number thirty. It becomes a routine and repeats itself there’s no creation or creativity. Off course I mean TV program not television series. The difference between the two is that in the cinema you are telling a story and trying to deliver it in the best way for the viewer. But television programs main goal is entertaining the viewer.

Is Sharing Love the first role play for you? Tell us more about the film.

Sharing Love movie is directed by Mr. Youssef El Deeb. The film is talking about a love affair between a man and a women and how it moves from passion stage to the routine stage, to anger, to differences and then to accepting the other. Every stage in this movie was modeled on the sharing... and that’s why the title was Sharing Love. With all my appreciation for each on Fatafeat, this film for me was the most important work I have done and the most work that I’m proud of on a personal level. This film was shown at Dubai Film Festival and was accepted into competition in the festival ST. TROPEZ and Madrid Film Festival. When the director asked me to play the role of Mira, I felt like I’m flying with joy like a little child. This film was a way for me to unload what’s in me. Acting is a great way to unload feelings and emotions and to live different roles far from the roles that we live in our ordinary lives.

You told the fourth season audience of Soup and Snacks about your desire of becoming an actress since childhood but your family did not welcome the idea. Did you choose directing as a profession to be close to the world of acting? How do you feel now after the first acting experience?

Directing and acting complement each other, I think that any filmmaker to be proficient must put himself in the actor place at least once to be able to deal with the actor feeling and push him to provide his best. Sharing Love movie isn’t my first experience as an actress I have acted in some plays and short films outside the Arab world. After the movie Sharing Love my feeling was different. Of course, I would like to experience that again as an actress. As for the opposition of my family, I thank them for that because they discovered another talent in me and helped me to develop it, which is film directing.

Is there a new directing project after your film Time Limits or are you going to the acting field?

If God will, there will be a new movie directed by me. I’m in the process of writing the screenplay, but because of my work circumstances and my constant preoccupation that interrupt me a little, I rather say I do not have enough time to write. For acting, I do not mind as long as I’m satisfied with the film story.

You have multiple talents, what do you prefer the most directing, acting or hosting?

Acting takes me to places that I don’t know about myself I discovers it. For me it’s a talent I thank God for it. It doesn’t require much effort from me.

Directing requires talent, dedication, thinking and execution. It certainly made ​​me who I am today. As for presenting I like to provide programs, if the program is close to my heart, such as Embassies and Spices.

What are your new projects?

If God will, a second season of Embassies and Spices also, in the hope to finish writing the screenplay.

What are your hobbies?

My hobbies are yoga and meditation but it’s not a hobby it’s a life style. And I practice sport three times a week.

What are your dreams?

When I was a teenager my dream was to direct a movie and become the first Arabic woman to win an Academy Award (Oscar). But now I would like to direct a movie that touches every person in a certain way.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

After five years!! This is difficult. I didn’t think about it before. After graduating from college I had many projects that I wanted to achieve. I use to write everything I want to do in the coming years. I would advise everyone to do this thing where this will be a motivation. Now I'm in a place I thank God for. I’m at a crossroads, am I going to continue what I’m doing or search for a new adventure. I don’t know now but I will decide soon.

What is your advice for teenagers that want to fulfill their dream in the technical field?

My advice is that teenagers shouldn’t depend on their outside looks. They shouldn’t do reckless things that they will regret in the future. The artistic field is not only for fame and financial returns it’s about creatively. A person with talent can educate himself artistically and climbs up the ladder slowly (because who climbs fast falls fast). Most importantly, do not rely on the physical appearance and do not be afraid of adventure and to experience new things but within the required ethics.