Hanan Motawie: I will play the role of Hatshepsut... and my position on artificial intelligence

Egyptian actress Hanan Motawea revealed her preparations to portray the Pharaonic Queen Hatshepsut in a new theatrical production, confirming that the project is still in the preparatory stage and that an official contract has not yet been signed, despite the script being complete.

“I was actually offered the role of Hatshepsut, and we are working on the Hatshepsut play, and I hope it will be shown on the Egyptian National Theater, but the contract has not yet been signed with the author, the director, or me. There is actually a complete script now, but I wanted the news not to spread before everything was officially done, until Professor Anwar Abdel Magith announced the project,” she said during her interview on the “With You” program, presented by her fellow journalist Mona El-Shazly, broadcast on ON channel.

Hanan Motawie expressed her great pride in the cultural movement currently taking place in Egypt, saying: "I am very proud that our great country is paying attention and trying to enlighten and re-present its civilization to the world. The opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum is a momentous event for me, just like the mummies' parade. I felt a sense of pride like no other before or after. We are presenting our history in a contemporary and disciplined way, and we are showing the world who the Egyptians were and who the Egyptians are today."

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Hanan Motawie on artificial intelligence Actress Hanan Motawea revealed her feelings about the use of artificial intelligence technology to produce videos that depict deceased artists as if they had come back to life, confirming that she received a double shock within a single week: first, a fake photo of herself on the cover of a prestigious magazine, and then, without her knowledge, a sudden appearance in a video featuring her with her late father, artist Karam Motawea.

She added: "Before I talked about the video, something happened a week before. A big magazine was going to feature me on the cover, and after I sent them the photos, I was surprised to see a photo that wasn't me. I was wearing clothes I'd never worn in my life. They completely ignored me and Photoshopped my entire body and face."

She added that she felt her privacy had been violated: "I told them, 'This isn't me, and this isn't professionally honorable. This is theft. You stole from me and a moment of me.'" She explained that a few days later, she was surprised to find a video circulating using artificial intelligence technology showing her in a dramatic scene with her late father.

She continued: "I have no doubt that the boy who made the video had good intentions and loved great artists, but when I saw myself with my father, I felt the pain embodied once again. Not everyone has the ability to see the loved ones they have lost through technology like this. This could hurt me a lot, it could make me collapse."

She affirmed her refusal to use artificial intelligence without prior permission: "What happened to me made me think... What if they put me in a work that goes against my beliefs or ideas? There must be a law prohibiting the use of artists' images or voices without written consent, so we can protect ourselves from any transgression."

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A special appearance by Hanan Motawie from the heart of Al-Muizz Street Actress Hanan Motawie shared new photos of herself on her official Instagram account while strolling through Al-Muizz Street in Cairo.

Hanan appeared in a simple look amidst a distinctive heritage atmosphere, and commented on the photos, saying: "Nice, my country, from one of the places on Al-Muizz Street," indicating her love for the atmosphere of the place and her connection to Egypt's historical identity.

Hanan Motawie promotes Egyptian identity from the heart of Cairo Hanan Motawie's appearance on Al-Muizz Street wasn't just a casual photoshoot. Many of her followers considered it an implicit message promoting the beauty of Old Cairo and its tourist attractions. The artist was keen to share natural, uncontrived shots, giving the photos an authentic Egyptian spirit that was well-received by the public.

Global Participation in the Tribeca Film Festival This appearance comes just days after Hanan Motawie participated in the world premiere of her new film Happy Birthday, which was part of the official competition at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York. The film, in which she co-starred alongside actress Nelly Karim, was screened in the presence of a select group of the film's creators, including director and co-writer Sara Gohar and writer Mohamed Diab.