The Yacoubian Building

The Yacoubian Building (directed by Marwan Hamed 2006) was Laila Samy’s first appearance in Egyptian cinema, performing alongside some of the country’s most celebrated actors, including Adel Imam, Yousra, and Nour El Sherif. Based on Alaa Al Aswany’s bestselling novel, the film portrays the intertwined lives of residents in a once-grand Cairo building, revealing the social and political layers of contemporary Egyptian life. Taking part in this landmark production at a young age was a formative experience that introduced me to the world of film acting and inspired my continued journey as a performer. The film premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival and remains one of the most iconic works in modern Egyptian cinema.