Zeina

Zeina (Arabic: زينة‎, IPA: [ˈzeːnæ]; born Wessam Reda Ismail El-Degwi, 4 February 1977) is an Egyptian actress and model. There are also several rumours stating that she was a high school teacher for about 2 years.

Career

Zeina started her career as a model in video clips, using her real name Wesam. She was chosen by director Daoud Abdel Sayed to play the role of Hanna in the movie Ard El kof (Land of Fear), her first film. She also worked as a broadcaster in one of the channels of Arab Radio and Television where she presented technical programmes. With the entry into the acting world she chose to name herself "Zeina". She was called "Sophia Loren of Arabs" by director Youssef Chahine after he saw her in the movie Montaha El Laza (Joys). She won the title of best actress in 2005 and 2006 in the public polls and she also won the award for outstanding performance for her role in the series "Hdrat El Motaham Aby (My Father the accused)."

Artist Ahmed Zaki called her "Penélope Cruz" for the similarities between herself and the Spanish actress. Zeina participated in a number of cinematographic works, such as El Haya fe Montaha el Laza (Joys of Life), Sayed El Atefy (Lord of the Emotional), Zaza, El Sahabh (Ghost), El gezyra (island), 90 Minutes, Puskas, Trapezoid, Captain Hima, One - Zero, Two Girls From Egypt, Adult and Seven Albermbp.