Egyptian star Hany Salama turned heads at the 79th Cannes Film Festival upon his arrival on the French Riviera. His high-profile visit comes in response to an official invitation from the Egyptian Embassy in France to attend an exclusive gala dinner organized on the sidelines of the prestigious festival, gathering prominent figures from both Arab and international cinema.
This year’s visit holds a deeply sentimental and historic significance. Salama is attending a grand celebration marking the centennial of the legendary, internationally acclaimed Egyptian director Youssef Chahine. Salama’s breakthrough roles in cinema were uniquely shaped by Chahine, most notably in the masterpieces Al-Maseer (The Destiny) and Al-Akhar (The Other), both of which screened at Cannes decades ago.
The gala, organized through high-level coordination between the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the French Ministry of Culture—and spearheaded by the Egyptian Embassy in Paris—is hosted by the Egyptian Ambassador to France, Dr. Tarek Dahroug. The red-carpet event also features a stellar lineup of cinematic icons, including screen diva Laila Eloui, celebrating the enduring legacy of “The Maestro,” whose profound impact on world cinema remains unmatched.
Beyond the centennial events, Salama’s participation in the embassy’s cultural and diplomatic activities aims to strengthen international artistic ties and support philanthropic initiatives, particularly highlighting the “Al Nas” Charity Hospital. The Egyptian star was also spotted engaging with international producers and filmmakers to discuss potential global co-productions.
Salama’s presence at Cannes coincides with his highly anticipated return to the silver screen with his upcoming feature film, Al-Hares (The Guardian). Written by Omar Abdel-Halim and directed by Yasser Samy, the film features an ensemble cast and is scheduled to shoot across locations in Egypt and Lebanon, marking his major comeback to cinema after a period of focusing on television drama.
