Interviewing actress Yassmine Othman again

 

 

1-As always, a pleasure to interview you, how have you handled the pandemic?

Firstly, I wish to thank you Carlos for this interview, it’s been quite some time since the last time and for me it’s always a pleasure being interviewed by you. Regarding the pandemic, I had Covid-19 during end of January 2021 although I was able to confine myself at home with my family, I had a hard time specially the third week when I had breathing problems, but I was very fortunate to overcome it without the need to be hospitalised.

 

How has it affected you when it comes to projects?

As for everyone in any industry it has affected us all very negatively although I must say that I was quite lucky and blessed to have been able to work in four projects during this time: “The Cake” short film directed by Andrés Eguiguren, “And Tomorrow We’ll Be Dead” feature film directed by Mike Steiner, “La Unidad” second season TV series for Movistar+ directed by Dani de la Torre and “The Future Awaits” short film directed by Roberto Pérez Toledo for the European Union Railway Commission.

Also it has given me the opportunity to create my own YouTube channel “Cuéntamelo con un Café” where I interview professionals of this industry around the world as well as founding Mena Talent Spain, the first showcase website in Spain that brings together talents from the Middle East and North Africa, the Maghreb residents in Spain www.menatalentspain.com

 

2-What new projects do you have for 2022?

I’m blessed to say that there are a few, a short film directed by Nuria Ferrer Pajares, short film & microtheater directed by Jose Prats, a feature film directed by Antón Taboada, a feature film directed by French Syrian director Meyar Al-Roumi, a short film directed by Fernando Verniere and director/actor Aldelatif Hwidar’s first feature film.

 

3-In your opinion, do you think Hollywood runs out of ideas when filming a movie?

Be it Hollywood and any other mecca of cinema, it is said that everything in cinema has already been created… stories exist since mankind, passed on from one generation to another and will continue to exist as long as there is imagination and life experience to create it and story passionates to watch them.

 

4-What could you tell me about the CGI, you like that it is used in cinema?

If it gives added value to the story, why not. We live in a technological world and cohabit with it daily so it’s already part of our lives. Plus, in some stories, fiction films, it’s cost effective because there’s no need to have a specialist plus a makeup specialist plus tech specs to create a monster, as an example, you can create it digitally. Nowadays we have many digital stories being told, I think is a generational matter they exist and will keep growing in the years to come.

 

5-What do you like most independent cinema or Hollywood cinema? And why?

I’m a passionate of film since I was a kid… be it independent or Hollywood or from any corner of the world. I love stories that are well told, for me the storyteller is important, but the story is the most important of all… you can have the most famous and best storyteller in a film that if the story is not good, it won’t be a blockbuster.

 

6-Do you agree that real weapons shouldn’t be used on film shoots?

Totally, nowadays we have VFX and all these effects have been done digitally in so many films that I don’t see the need in using real weapons on set.

 

7-In your life, outside of filming, what do you value most in a person?

There are a few things I value of a person in and out of this industry in my life: Sincerity, loyalty, humility and humanity, these are the basics.

 

8-You like horror movies, for something special?

I love horror movies, maybe because most of the stories have no chances to exist in real life. Also because of the tension, the surreal, the mystery, all the VFX that are used in them, just like in SCIFI… love them too. Hope to have the opportunity to work in both someday soon!

 

9-If you weren't an actress, what would you like to be?

Well, I always liked acting, I discovered it my high school theater when I was a teenager but unfortunately like in most families I had to choose another income generator so for nearly 23 years I was an international sales manager for various companies until I collaborated in my first short film as an extra, I loved it so much that I started my acting training and two years later I decided to give myself an early retirement and dedicate the rest of my coming years to cinema as an actress.

But to answer your question, if I weren’t an actress, I would be anything that would fulfill me personally and professionally.

 

10-What things would you say that characterizes you or would be very yours?

You would really have to ask my closest personas and I have, so this is what the majority have said of me: Persevering, committed, kind-hearted, helpful, supportive, strong-willed, gracious.

 

11-What adjective do you think describes you best?

Constancy.

 

12-What is the most rewarding job you have done?

In my personal life, having my two children Melanie and Manuel… they are my legacy. In this industry? I love and am blessed for the opportunity of each and every project I have worked in to today and for those yet to come, but I must say that the most rewarding one will be when I retire and look back satisfied of all that I have achieved.

 

13-Do you have an idol or person that inspires you?

I have quite a few in this industry but it would only be fair to say that all the women that have directly or indirectly been part of my life path in and out of this industry who have followed their dreams, persisted, and succeeded have inspired me throughout my 58 trips around the sun and hope there will be many more in the years to come.