Actress Inji El Gammal on Silent Film, Acting, and Autism Advocacy
Inji El Gammal, the Egyptian-born and Paris-raised actress and producer, has carved a unique path in the film and theater industry.
Her latest project, “Abdo and Saneya,” which recently premiered at the Red Sea Film Festival 2024, is a silent film blending classical black-and-white cinema with modern sensibilities, showcasing her talent and versatility.
In this exclusive interview, El Gammal reflects on the nuances of silent film acting, her return to the industry after a decade-long pause, and how her personal experiences shape her artistic voice.
Mastering the Art of Physicality in Silent Film Acting
Silent films demand a distinct kind of performance—one that relies heavily on physical expression and subtle body language. For El Gammal, preparing for “Abdo and Saneya” began with mastering the physicality of her character, Saneya.
“What I focused on the most in the beginning was Saneya’s walk. I would spend hours pacing back and forth in my apartment until I finally nailed it. After that, it was mainly her body mannerisms, particularly the strong hand gestures commonly seen among women in Egyptian farmlands,” El Gammal shared.
While the orchestral score composed by Alexandre Azaria plays a significant role in the film’s narrative, El Gammal noted that the music was added during post-production.
“As an actress, it didn’t affect my performance since the music was created after filming was completed. However, as one of the producers, I worked closely with Alexandre. The music is essential to the film—it serves as its dialogue.”
El Gammal highlighted the possibility of hosting a live orchestrated screening of the film in the future, underscoring the film’s evolving artistic journey.
Blending Classic Cinema With Modern Storytelling in “Abdo and Saneya”
When asked how her performance bridges the realms of classic cinema and modern storytelling, El Gammal’s response was candid.
“I didn’t think about it while performing. I was simply using my naturally given advantage: whatever I feel tends to show on my face. It’s a problem in life but not on screen!” she joked.
After seeing the film on the big screen at the Red Sea Film Festival 2024, she recognized the romantic quality inherent in her portrayal. “Saneya is a working woman who speaks her mind and lives in the present, yet she carries the sensitivity and romanticism of older times.”
Her connection to the project was deeply personal. “Omar and I were best friends at the time. A huge fan of black-and-white silent films, Omar thrives on working organically with limited resources. We started Saneya in a basement, thinking we’d just sketch out the characters, but it quickly grew into something much bigger.”
For El Gammal, the film transcends language. “It is a deeply personal tribute to my daughter, who has severe autism and is nonverbal, and to all individuals with disabilities. I hope they can watch the film and feel the story’s impact, even without words.”
Career Journey: Triumphs, Challenges, and Cultural Identity
El Gammal’s return to acting was ignited by a serendipitous moment. “A friend of mine, today my husband, Omar Bakry, was filming a short movie, and I asked him to take me along. That was the moment I realized that acting was my true calling.”
Her career quickly gained momentum. In 2019, she won an award for her dual roles in “Bismillah,” a play by Nakisha Aschtiani. She also appeared in “Ramy,” a groundbreaking TV series that marked her first venture into television. “Both projects were invaluable learning experiences that I will never forget.”
As a French-Egyptian actress, El Gammal seamlessly navigates between two cultural landscapes. “I am as much a fan of Charles Aznavour as I am of Abdel Halim Hafez. Navigating between these two worlds has always felt natural. Both languages share a sense of poetry and romanticism.”
However, she acknowledges the persistent stereotypes Arab women face in cinema.
“Often, roles written for Arab women in the West are portrayed in a very stereotypical way, failing to capture the full complexity and depth of their identities. Arab women are not simply veiled or suppressed; the Arab world is home to some of the most avant-garde and influential women in both the arts and everyday life. Unfortunately, these nuances are often overlooked in Western storytelling, leaving much of their richness and diversity untold.”
El Gammal’s Advocacy for Autism Awareness Through Art
El Gammal’s advocacy for autism awareness is rooted in her personal journey as the mother of a nonverbal autistic daughter.
“Being the mother of an autistic daughter has been the most rewarding experience of my life. It has taught me to love without barriers and embrace differences. As actors, we portray characters by observing and learning from people in everyday life. My experience as a mother has given me the ability to look beneath the surface and uncover the deeper, complex layers of humanity. This perspective has profoundly enriched my acting career and the way I approach my craft.”
She envisions creating theater for the autistic community and hopes to explore autism and neurodiversity through film.
“There are so many important stories to be told about autism. Stories that explore the challenges of navigating life with sensory limitations, the struggle to express wants and needs, and the profound ways in which individuals with autism are often misunderstood or excluded. These narratives deserve to be shared, not only to raise awareness but also to foster greater understanding and inclusion in society.”
Future Projects and Advice for Actors and Actresses
El Gammal’s upcoming projects reflect her commitment to meaningful storytelling. In August 2025, she will star in “WAFAA,” a play written and directed by Omar Bakry, at 59E59 Theatre in New York.
“I’ll be sharing the stage with my brilliant theater mentor, Roger Hendricks Simon, and the incredibly talented Haythem Noor. The play was previously read at The Actors Studio, and now it’s being produced at this wonderful theater—I’m very excited about it.”
As “Abdo and Saneya” continues its journey toward international release, El Gammal remains deeply connected to the craft. “Acting is about learning to live truthfully through the character, connecting deeply with their essence and bringing their story to life.”
Her advice to aspiring actors is simple yet profound: “Keep going—embrace the wins just as much as the losses. An audition is a win, and not booking a role is still a win. It’s all part of the learning process, and we are all works in progress.”
“We play roles, so play, play, play, and have fun with it! Being organized and disciplined is also important. It helps in reducing the overwhelming feelings we sometimes experience.”
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