Press Conference Held for 'Asad' Ahead of Official Release

On Sunday, the cast and creators of the upcoming historical drama film "Asad" gathered for a press conference ahead of the film’s theatrical release in Egypt on May 14 and across the Arab world on May 21. 

The event brought together director Mohamed Diab, star Mohamed Ramadan, and members of the cast and production team, who spoke about the six-year journey behind the ambitious project and the challenges faced during its production.

Director Mohamed Diab described "Asad" as one of the most difficult and demanding experiences of his career, revealing that the film took six years to complete. 

He praised the production companies for believing in the project and providing the resources needed to bring the large-scale historical drama to life.

Diab also spoke highly of his collaboration with Ramadan, describing him as a highly professional actor deeply invested in every detail of his work. 

Furthermore, he said Ramadan’s role in "Asad" would change the traditional image of the “people's hero” in Egyptian cinema, adding that the actor showed exceptional dedication and artistic courage throughout the project.

The director explained that he chose Ramadan not only because of his popularity but also because he believed he was capable of leading a major cinematic production of this scale. 

In addition, he noted that every aspect of the film presented major challenges, from costume design and décor to cinematography and production execution.

For his part, Ramadan said the film marks the beginning of a new phase in his acting career and the start of a different cinematic legacy from the work he has previously presented. 

He stressed that "Asad" was worth both the audience’s anticipation and his three-year absence from cinema.

Ramadan added that he values the opinions of journalists and critics because they represent “the conscience of the artist,” explaining that respecting criticism helps actors stay connected to the true essence of filmmaking. 

He also described competition among actors as healthy and motivating, saying it pushes artists to offer better work for audiences.

The actor praised Diab’s vision and professionalism, noting that the director listened carefully to every member of the team. 

Ramadan also added that he constantly seeks to reinvent himself artistically rather than repeat previous roles, emphasizing that “true art is what remains in the end.”

During the press conference, Lebanese actress Razane Jammal described her role in Asad as “the role of a lifetime,” explaining that the cast and crew worked with genuine passion throughout filming. 

She revealed that many scenes required intense concentration due to the use of one-shot filming techniques and said she was emotionally moved when she watched the final cut of the film because it exceeded her expectations.

Jammal also praised both Diab and Ramadan, highlighting the director’s ability to give actors room for creative expression and Ramadan’s commitment to ensuring every performer appeared in the best possible way on screen.

For his part, actor Ali Qassem said he is eager to finally see audience and critical reactions after years of work on the project, while producer Mousa Abu Taleb admitted he never imagined the film’s preparation process would take so many years. 

He later realized the sheer scale and complexity of the production, which included more than 700 hours of filming.

Abu Taleb also stated that Ramadan was supportive of all the actors involved and keen to highlight every performer alongside him, adding that audiences would understand after watching the film why no other actor could have played the lead role.

Screenwriter Sherine Diab described her feelings toward the film as a mixture of excitement and emotional tension, explaining that the project began as an idea from Diab before evolving into a massive collaborative production. 

Fellow writer Khaled Diab noted that historical films often raise concerns about language and commercial accessibility but said Asad successfully balances drama, action, and romance.

Actress Islam Mubarak described the film as a turning point in her career both artistically and personally, while actor Mostafa Shehata called the project “a real gift” and praised the collaborative atmosphere behind the scenes.

Actress Iman Youssef expressed pride in participating in her first Egyptian film production, particularly one that addresses an important issue and includes talent from across the Arab world. 

Actor Amr El Kady also praised the screenplay for giving each character their own heroic space within the story.

Meanwhile, Ahmed Dash expressed hope that audiences would connect with the film, while costume designer Reem El Adl highlighted the difficulty of creating costumes inspired by the nineteenth century. 

Director of photography Ahmed El Beshary said he felt fortunate to work on a commercial film that also tackles an important issue through its visual storytelling.

Set in nineteenth-century Egypt, Asad follows the story of a rebellious slave named Asad whose forbidden love for a free woman ignites a confrontation with his masters. 

After losing what matters most to him, Asad transforms his silent resistance into a fierce revolution in a struggle that could change not only his destiny but also the fate of slavery in the country forever.

The film stars Mohamed Ramadan, Razane Jammal, Ali Qassem, Kamel El Basha, Islam Mubarak, Iman Youssef, and Mostafa Shehata, with special appearances by Maged El Kedwany and Ahmed Dash.

"Asad" is directed by Mohamed Diab and written by Sherine Diab, Mohamed Diab, and Khaled Diab. The film’s score is composed by Hesham Nazih. It is produced by Goodfellas Media Production, Scoop Production, Fillme Production, and BigTime Fund, with distribution by AFD in Egypt and Empire Entertainment across the Middle East.