Yousry Nasrallah on Character Design | Amr Moussa Prefers Grey Characters in Cinema
At the Alexandria Short Film Festival masterclass, directors Yousry Nasrallah and Amr Moussa discussed their cinematic philosophies, with Nasrallah emphasizing intelligent, free-spirited characters, while Moussa highlighted his preference for morally grey characters that invite audience interpretation.
During the 12th edition of the Alexandria Short Film Festival, a masterclass titled “Casting the Film Crew: Behind and In Front of the Camera” brought together directors Yousry Nasrallah and Amr Moussa, moderated by actor Sabry Fawaz, in a rich discussion about character building and directing philosophy 🎥✨.
Yousry Nasrallah emphasized that his selection of any film project begins with a deeply personal emotional connection to the script. He often asks himself whether he can exist within the world of the story and whether it offers him space for discovery and exploration.
He explained that he prefers his characters to be free and independent, adding that he often likes characters who are “smarter than him,” as this makes them more dynamic and capable of generating unexpected dramatic tension 💡🎭.
Nasrallah also spoke about antagonistic characters, describing them not simply as negative forces, but as complex and charismatic figures that can bring energy, depth, and even humor to the narrative when written effectively.
In contrast, director Amr Moussa presented a more minimalist approach to cinema evaluation, stating that a good film, in his view, is one that the audience would want to watch again. This reflects emotional attachment rather than narrative complexity alone 🎬✨.
He explained that his attraction to films is not only based on plot, but on the strength of the characters themselves. He prefers films where characters remain more memorable than events, allowing them to linger in the viewer’s memory.
Moussa also emphasized his preference for “grey” characters—those that are neither purely good nor purely evil—arguing that such complexity allows audiences to interpret and judge characters freely.
This approach, he believes, creates a more engaging intellectual experience for viewers, making them active participants rather than passive observers 🎭🧠.
The session was part of the Alexandria Short Film Festival, held from April 27 to May 2, an event dedicated to supporting emerging filmmakers and short cinema in the Arab world.
The festival continues to serve as a major platform for dialogue between filmmakers, critics, and audiences, encouraging new perspectives on contemporary cinema.
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