Natasha Choufani

Natasha Choufani
Native name نتاشا شوفاني
Born (1989-08-06) 6 August 1989
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Nationality Lebanese
Website Official website

Natasha Choufani is a Lebanese actress.

Background

A graduate of the Lebanese American University (LAU) with an Honors Bachelor's degree in Communication Arts in 2010, she had been taught by Lebanese theater directors and actors, Lina Abyad and Nagy Souraty.[1] Choufani later went on to develop her skills further in several drama workshops, while working as an extra on sets and taking part in independent short films.[2]

Acting

TV Series

In 2013 she landed a supporting role in the year-long Lebanese hit TV series Khtarab el Hay (Neighborhood Breakdown) as Dolly, a jealous, conceited, misunderstood girl who gets into trouble with the whole neighborhood.[3] The role earned her a Murex D'or nomination as "Best Upcoming Actress" in 2015[4] and opened doors to playing many other various characters, such as Haneen, a troubled drug-addict who attempts to take her own life when faced with the controversies of her society in the pan-Arab series Dawa'er Hob: Circles of Love,[5] and tormented Carmen in “Abriaa w Laken”, an Arabic adaptation of the Agatha Christie novels, “Ordeal by Innocence” and “Appointment with death”.[6] She took part in several series in Ramadan, including “Bint el Shahbandar” (2015); an epic, historical, romantic story that takes place in the 1800s,[7] "Noss Yom" (2016) (Half a Day), and the extremely popular pan-arab series "Al Hayba"[8]

When asked about the Lebanese TV series industry, Choufani stated that there was a continual development and improvement in the industry, but stressed on the importance of returning to the roots of Lebanese culture, literature and history in the local TV story-lines in order to elevate the essence of the locally produced TV series and cinema as viewers have a need to watch content that they could relate to and identify with.[9]

Theater

- "Hayda Mish Film Masri" - This is Not An Egyptian Film

- "Ma' el Waqt... Yimkin" With Time... Perhaps

Between 2015 and 2016, at the age of 26, she starred in the leading role alongside Lebanese director and actor Georges Khabbaz in his play "Ma' el Waqt... Yimkin" (With Time... Perhaps),[10] where she performed in Chateau Trianon Theater in Beirut. Approximately 100,000 people attended over the course of six months.[11]

Film

Her work with student short films led her to work in independent features such as Ana Mish Shahid (I am not a Martyr) and Mafkoud (Lost).[12]

Activism

In the summer of 2017, Choufani collaborated with "The Kip Project" and The Lebanese Ministry of Women Affairs in a national campaign called "#Mesh_Basita"[13](translates to "It's not okay/I am not a fool") against sexual harassment.[14] The campaign received much coverage in the press, after the video ad went viral and provoked strong reactions on social media.[15]

Choufani gave several interviews discussing her involvement in the campaign:

"I joined the campaign because it was important for me to open a debate on something that was usually taboo to discuss. You will not find a girl who hasn’t been exposed to harassment, and whenever we complain about it, we are instantly shut down.

The reactions to the campaign were especially difficult for me, because it showed people’s ignorance on the definition of sexual harassment; that it is not really about attraction, it is about power and control. You see, the harasser on the street knows that the girl will know better than to react. She has been taught to ignore, especially in our society. If she tries to defend herself, they will say that she is too masculine, or she exaggerates, or they will accuse her of having psychological issues because any "normal" girl should be flattered at the attention. She will prefer to ignore and let it pass over so as to not draw attention to herself. He knows that she is in a weaker position than he, so he abuses the situation with pleasure.

After the campaign, many young girls asked me what does harassment mean? I realized that they don’t know what it means at this age, because our parents always say, "don’t go there" and "don’t talk to X or Y". But they don’t explain why, or they don’t explain what may happen. Overprotecting our daughters will not empower them. When they do go out and get harassed, they will feel guilty and ashamed, because they will think it is because of them, and not because the harasser is sick and cowardly.

We need a change of laws, but we also need to raise awareness about it at schools, scouts, summer camps, and give workshops on female empowerment and positive masculinity. Men and women should no longer feel ashamed or scared to speak up."[16]

References

  1. ↑ Choufani, Natasha (June 6, 2014). "Baynetna". MTV (Interview). Interviewed by Rania Achkar. Beirut: MTV.
  2. ↑ Choufani, Natasha (March 21, 2016). "Kazdoura". Iron Heyoka (Interview). Interviewed by Georges Khalaf. Beirut.
  3. ↑ "Khtarab el Hay: Neighborhood Breakdown". IMDB. IMDB. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
  4. ↑ "Aya Tiba Wins Best Upcoming Actress for 2015". Annahar. Annahar. 22 March 2015. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
  5. ↑ "Dawa'er Hob;Circles of Love". IMDB. IMDB. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
  6. ↑ "Abriaa w Laken: Innocent... However". IMDB. IMDB. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
  7. ↑ "Bint el Shahbandar". IMDB. IMDB. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
  8. ↑ ""الهيبة - العودة" عمل ناجح بشهادة النقاد ورواد مواقع التواصل الاجتماعي". Yawmiyati. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
  9. ↑ Choufani, Natasha (February 6, 2015). "I Witness". MTV (Interview). Interviewed by Rania Achkar. Beirut: MTV.
  10. ↑ "جديده "مع الوقت.. يمكن" يرصد الصداقة والحب بأسلوب يدغدغ الدراما". Al Liwaa. 29 December 2015. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
  11. ↑ "Georges Khabbaz's Theater and His Applauding Audience". Al Mada. December 8, 2015. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
  12. ↑ "I'm Not A Martyr". IMDB. IMDB. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
  13. ↑ "Mesh Basita مش بسيطة Video Campaign". 3 August 2017. Retrieved 18 August 2017.
  14. ↑ "Lebanese women fight back against sexual harassment with new campaign". 16 August 2017. Retrieved 18 August 2017.
  15. ↑ "Lebanon says 'mesh basita' to sexual harassment". 2 August 2017. Retrieved 18 August 2017.
  16. ↑ Imad Khalil, Nada (November 2017). "Men as well as women are subject to sexual harassment". Nadine Magazine. 1923: 60–61.
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