Actor Ahmed El-Saadany posted a recent photo on his Instagram account, embodying the features of his new character “Dr. Youssef” in the anticipated Egyptian film “And We Have Love in Imagination” (Wa Lana fi al-Khiyal Hob). He commented on it saying: “Wait for Dr. Youssef in 3 days in the film (And We Have Love in Imagination) from November 19 in all cinemas’.
El-Saadany’s Role
Ahmed El-Saadany portrays the character of “Youssef Murad,” a university professor at the Film Institute known for his isolation, quietness, and avoidance of social interaction or romantic involvement following a major life crisis, according to his interview at the Gouna Film Festival. His life changes when a young student named “Warda” (Mayan El-Sayed) knocks on his heart’s door, facing an emotional crisis with her lover. The protagonist finds himself later in a powerful internal conflict between his feelings as a man and an academic lecturer, and he discovers unexpectedly that he has fallen in love with her despite all his internal barriers.
This role was close to El-Saadany’s own heart, as he mentioned in official interviews, that he “cried while reading the screenplay because some details of the story resembled events that occurred in his real life.” This reflected clearly in his performance in the film and created a genuine sense of empathy and interaction between the cast members according to their statements, which was also confirmed by writer Sarah Zreik, who clarified that the screenplay drew fine human details from the actors’ surroundings, particularly the lead actor.
Cast and a Different Cinematic Experience
The film’s cast includes a list of stars from the new generation, including Mayan El-Sayed, Omar Razik, Afaf Mostafa, Frida Ragab, Saif Hamida, and Bassant Abu Pasha. The film was directed by Sarah Razik in her first feature film venture, with cinematography by Mohamed Gaad, while the score was composed by Khaled Hammad.
The main scenes were filmed at the Academy of Arts and the Egyptian Opera House, which added clear realism to the screenplay and characters, in addition to presenting musical and dance numbers that received critical and audience acclaim during its premiere at the Gouna Film Festival. The director and production team’s commitment to blending realism with fantasy was evident, presenting psychological and dramatic treatment of issues of love and loss, and concepts of human fragility, in a visual framework new to Egyptian cinema.
