# Yousra

Yousra (/ˈjɔːsrə/ YAWS-rə; Arabic: يسرا, IPA:; born Sivin Nesim, Egyptian Arabic pronunciation:) is an Egyptian actress and singer. She is considered as a glamorous icon for the Middle East and is an influential voice in the region.

## Career

Yousra participated as a main Role actress in almost 81 films, 20 Drama Serials and 3 Live theater performances. She first appeared in the 1980 film Athkiya' Laken Aghbiya (Smart yet Stupid). Then she played many roles with varying looks – the naughty, quiet, docile, or impish. Yousra participated in comedy, drama, and entertainment. Kasr Fi El Hawaa (Castle In the Air) by Abdel Halim Nasr in 1980. Fatah Tabhath Ann Alhob (A Girl Looking for Love) by Nader Galal in 1977. Alf Bossa Wa Bossa (A Thousand and One Kisses) by Mohamed Abdel Aziz in 1977. Ebtessama Waheda Takfi (One Smile is Enough) by Mohamed Bassiyouni in 1978, to mention just a few.
These were followed by a number of successful films with Adel Emam such as: Shabab Yarkoss Fawk Alnar (Youth Dancing on Fire) by Yehiya Al Alamy in 1978, Al Ensan Yaeesh Mara Waheda (Man Only Lives Once) by Simone Saleh in 1981, Ala Bab Al Wazeer (At the Door of the Minister) by Mohamed Abdel Aziz in 1982, Al Avocato (The Lawyer) by Raafat Al Mihi in 1984, Al Ins Wa Algen by Mohamed Radi in 1985, and Karakoun Fi El Shareih. The duo of Adel Imam and Yousra, always made an interesting movie with a message and a lot of laughter. Later, Adel Emam and Yousra worked together in three different movies: Al Mansi (The Forgotten), Al Irhab Wal Kabab (Terrorism and Kebab), and Toyour Al Zalam (Birds of Darkness). In all three movies, comedy was used to deliver an underlying political message to great critical and public acclaim.
One of the most important milestones in Yousra's career was working with the famous Egyptian director Youssef Chahine. She acted in Chahine's Hadduta Masreya (Egyptian Story) in 1982, Iskanderiya Kaman we Kaman (Alexandria Again and Again) in 1990, and Al Mohager (The Emigrant) in 1994. Yousra was very impressed with Chahine's work, stating, "Youssef Chahine affected me on a personal and professional level. He is a school for anyone who works with him.”
Yousra made a number of the serial television dramas popular during Ramadan, including 2005's Ahlam 'Adiya (Ordinary Dreams). She portrayed an enterprising con woman in what the English version of Egyptian newspaper Al-Ahram called “a major departure from the star's usual Ramadan screen persona, which has consistently verged on the romantic and the demure."
In 2006, she took a supporting role in The Yacoubian Building, a star-laden adaptation of the novel of the same name. The film is reported to have had the highest budget of any Egyptian production to date. Playing an entertainer working in a restaurant, Yousra, according to Variety, “effortlessly stirs old emotional waters when she sings 'La Vie en rose.'" Yousra released her first vocal album in 2002. She featured in Abu's hit single 3 Daqat in 2017. In 2018, she acted in Ladayna Akwalon Okhra (We Have Another Statement). In 2019, Yousra and Saba Mubarak starred in a photo session for Harper's Bazaar Arabia, and both Arab actresses wore elegant evening gowns. In 2020, she starred in Saheb Al Maqam, her first film in eight years.

## Personal life

Yousra is the sister-in-law of actor Hesham Selim, son of famous Egyptian football player, actor and former president of Al Ahly, Saleh Selim, and the wife of Khaled Selim.

## Political views

Despite all the troubles and the tension between Algeria and Egypt after 2009 Egypt–Algeria World Cup dispute, the Egyptian actress Yousra cheered for Algeria in the World Cup which was held in South Africa. She and Omar Sharif initially staged a protest against Algeria after Algeria accused Egypt of misconduct during the Algeria-Egypt football match.

## Filmography

Films :
| Year | Film | Translation |
| 1977 | Fatah Tabhath Aan Al-Hob | A Girl Searching For Love |
| 1997 | Eish el-Ghorab | The Mushroom |
| 1978 | Ebtesama | Smile |
| 1978 | Shabab Yarkos Fawqa An-Nar | Youths Dancing on Fire |
| 1979 | Ushaq Al-Eshreen | Lovers under 20 |
| 1980 | Amal Eh El-Hob Fi Baba | What did Love Do for Dad? |
| 1980 | Qasr fi Al-Hawaa | A Mansion on Air |
| 1981 | Leilat Shitaa Dafeia | A Warm Winter Night |
| 1981 | El Insaan Yaeesh Mara Waheda | Man Is Living Once |
| 1981 | Karakoon Fi El Sharea | A Prison in the Street |
| 1982 | Shitan Al-Gazeera | Island's Devil |
| 1982 | Ala bab Al-Wazeer | At Minister's Door |
| 1982 | Hadoota Masriyyia | Egyptian story |
| 1984 | Al-Tha'r | Revenge |
| 1984 | Al Avocato | The Lawyer |
| 1984 | La Tasalny Man Ana | Don't Ask Me Who I am! |
| 1985 | Al Ins Wal Gen | Men and Jen |
| 1985 | As-Saaleeq | The Servants |
| 1985 | Shaqat Al Ostaz Hasan | Mr. Hasan's flat |
| 1986 | Al Bedaya | The Beginning |
| 1986 | Al Galsa Al Serriya | The Secret Meeting |
| 1986 | Abl El Waddaa | Before Goodbye |
| 1986 | Wasmet Aar | Stigma |
| 1987 | At-Taweeza | Taweeza |
| 1987 | Al Laeeba | |
| 1987 | Sekket En-Nadama | The Way of Remorse |
| 1987 | Asfoor Laho Aneyaab | Birds' Teeth |
| 1987 | Li Adam Kefayet El Adellah | Insufficient Proofs |
| 1987 | Darb el Hawa | |
| 1988 | Sarkhet Nadam | Cry of Remorse |
| 1988 | Emra'a Lel Asaf | Unfortunately Woman |
| 1989 | Iskendria Kaman Wi Kaman | Alexandria Again and Forever |
| 1989 | Kaboos | Nightmare |
| 1990 | El Moolid | Mawlid |
| 1990 | Gizeeret El Shaitan | Devil's Island |
| 1991 | Al-Ra'i wal Nisaa | The Shepherd and the Women |
| 1991 | Sayedat Al-Qahira | Cairo's Mistress |
| 1992 | Al-Shares | The Fierce |
| 1992 | Emra'a Ayela Lel Soqoot | A Non-Secure Woman |
| 1993 | Al-Mansi | The Forgotten |
| 1993 | Mercedes | Mercedes |
| 1993 | Al Erhab Wi El-Kabab | Terrorism and Kebab |
| 1993 | Dehk Wa Le'b Wa Gad Wa Hob | Laugh, entertainment, seriousness and Love |
| 1998 | Dantilla | |
| 1994 | Al-Mohager | The Immigrant |
| 1996 | Teyoor Ez-Zalaam | The Birds of Darkness |
| 1996 | Nazwa | Lust |
| 1998 | Risala Ela Al-Wali | A Message to the Wāli |
| 1999 | Kalam El Leil | The Night talk |
| 2001 | Al-Asefa | The Tempest |
| 2001 | Al-Warda Al-Hamra | Red Rose |
| 2002 | Ma'ali al Wazir | The Minister's Excellency |
| 2004 | Iskendria New York | Alexandria... New York |
| 2005 | Kalam Fil Hob | Talk in Love |
| 2005 | Dam El Ghazaal | Gazelle's blood |
| 2006 | Emaret Yaccobian | The Yacoubian Building |
| 2006 | Mateegy Nor'os | Let's Dance |
| 2009 | Bobbos | |
| 2012 | Game Over | |
| 2020 | Saheb Al Maqam | Dignitary |

## Television

Television :
| Year | Title | Translation | Role |
| 1979 | Anf we 3 Eyion | Nose and 3 Eyes | Amina |
| 1994 | Rafat Al-Haggan | Rafat Al-Haggan (Name) | Helen Samhoon |
| 1996 | Hayat El-Gohari | Al Gohari's Life | Hayat |
| 2000 | Awan El Ward | Flowers Time | Amal |
| 2002 | Ayna Qalbi | Where Is My Heart | Faten |
| 2003 | Malak Rohi | Angel of My Soul | Malak |
| 2004 | Leqa Ala el hawa- | Leqaa On Air | Leqa |
| 2005 | Ahlam el 3adea | Normal Dreams | Nadia Anzaha |
| 2006 | Lahazat Harega | Critical Moments | Sarah |
| 2007 | Adiyyeit Raie Aam | A Matter of Public Opinion | Abla |
| 2008 | Fi Aydee Amina | In Safe Hands | Amina |
| 2009 | Khas Giddan | Up Close and Personal | Dr. Sherifa |
| 2010 | El Arabi maa Yousra | The Arab with Yousra | Herself |
| 2010 | Bel Shamaa Al-Ahmar | In Red Wax | Dr. Fatma |
| 2012 | Sharbat Louz | Sharbat Louz | Sharbat |
| 2014 | Saraya Abdeen | Abdeen Palace | Khoshyar Hanim/ El Walda Pasha |
| 2016 | Fo'k Mostawa ElShobohat | Above Suspicion | Dr. Rahma |
| 2017 | El Hesab Ygm3 | A Score to Settle | Na'eema |
| 2018 | Awalem Khafeya | Star guest | Yousra |
| 2018 | Ladayna Akwalon Okhra | We Have Further Comments | Amira Mansour |
| 2020 | Kheyanet Ahd | Ahd's betrayal | Ahed |
| 2021 | Harab Ahelya | Civil War | Mariam |
| 2022 | Ahlam Saeda | Sweet Dreams | Farida |
Hikayat aruus wa aruusah Story of bride and groom