Hala Sedki revealed fresh behind-the-scenes details about her 1991 film Al-Herob (The Escape) during a recent appearance on the television program Taboo, hosted by Iraqi media personality Nizar Al Fares. Sedki explained that her famous kissing scene with the late Ahmed Zaki contained zero romance, noting that the director staged the moment to symbolically represent Zaki’s escaped convict character craving a taste of sweetness after long confinement.
The Bottom Line
- Hala Sedki stated that her kissing scene with Ahmed Zaki in 1991’s Al-Herob was entirely devoid of personal emotion and designed purely as a directorial metaphor.
- During the same interview, Sedki declined to compare actors Ahmed El Awady and Mohamed Ramadan, stating that Ramadan commands seniority on screen.
- The actress also discussed her ongoing career projects, including her recent television work in Bibo and her involvement in the international film 7 Dogs.
Technical Realities Behind On-Screen Romances
Expanding on the mechanics of cinematic affection, Sedki explained to Al Fares that romantic scenes rarely mirror reality on set. She detailed that a single kissing sequence can take up to four hours to capture due to rigorous technical demands. Crew members must shift lighting setups, adjust camera angles from the right or left sides, and reset framing repeatedly, turning an intimate-looking moment into an exhausting, strictly mechanical exercise devoid of real sentiment.
Navigating Television Hierarchies and Future Projects
Aside from reflecting on her classic cinematic collaborations with director Atef El Tayeb and screenwriter Mostafa Moharram in Al-Herob, Sedki addressed contemporary television preferences. When pressed by Al Fares to choose between the viewing slots of Mohamed Ramadan and Ahmed El Awady, Sedki maintained that direct comparisons between the two stars are inappropriate. Choosing Ramadan’s hypothetical timeslot, she attributed her preference to his longer tenure and established seniority in the industry, while still acknowledging El Awady’s career achievements.
| Project | Key Talent / Creators | Role / Context |
|---|---|---|
| Al-Herob (1991) | Ahmed Zaki, Hala Sedki, Dir. Atef El Tayeb | Classic cinematic thriller featuring the discussed symbolic scene |
| Bibo (2026) | Hala Sedki, Walid Fawaz, Kozbra, Dir. Ahmed Shafik | 15-episode television series broadcast during the latter half of Ramadan |
| 7 Dogs | Karim Abdel Aziz, Ahmed Ezz, Monica Bellucci, Turki Al Sheikh | High-profile international action feature film collaboration |
Recent Film and Television Slate
Sedki’s appearance on Taboo aligns with a busy professional period encompassing both major streaming and theatrical ventures. Earlier in 2026, she appeared in the 15-episode television series Bibo alongside a cast that included Walid Fawaz, Kozbra, and Sayed Ragab, under the direction of Ahmed Shafik and written by Tamer Mohsen. On the big screen, her credits extend to the ensemble feature 7 Dogs. That film features an international roster including Karim Abdel Aziz, Ahmed Ezz, Monica Bellucci, Nasser Al Gasabi, and Salman Khan, drawing from an original story by Turki Al Sheikh and directed by Adil El Arbi and Bilal Fallah.
