Pretty brunette with glowing eyes, the beautiful Samira Tewfiq (Toufic) incarnated on screen the prototype of the Bedouin, courageous and determined peasant of the desert, brilliantly singing melodies cleverly modernized, inspired by the Jordanian folklore and rural traditions. The catchy rhythm of his music and his undeniable presence in his films bring real added value. Admired by Tunisia to Saudi Arabia, the singer also known within the Arab world Folklore, and most of his films were exported to France in the 70s (even if their distribution was intended primarily to immigrant customers). Born in
Bey
Routh in 1935, Samira Cremona grew up in a large family and very modest, but surrounded by the love of his. She was discovered by chance when she sings in her garden, by a great sitar player, who seduced by her voice, moved to his parents to teach singing and music. His father was then very reluctant, but encouraged by his mother, Samira tries his luck at the Lebanese radio. The composer the Tewfiq Bayoumi and composes for her remark is kalbi yama tlawâat Meskin, his first song. He renamed Samira Tewfiq (which means success in Arabic ... a pseudonym good omen!). The young artist is engaged in the early 60 in a Jordanian radio that inspires them to tap into the rep
grained sang nomadic Bedouin culture. It is subject to a hard drive in local dialects so that his interpretation seems genuine. The success was immediate and dramatic: it was applauded by King Hussein of Jordan and was invited to Cairo to sing alongside the great Abdel Halim Afez, the nightingale's song brown Egyptian. We can congratulate Samira Tewfiq have rehabilitated with talent the popular heritage of rural Eastern, giving him acclaim. In all Arab countries and even beyond, it will become an ambassador for the Bedouin song. In 1963, the singer made her screen debut alongside Kamel El Chenawi in "the daughter of the desert" Niazi Mustafa, the love story between an archaeologist and a nice Bedouin parents want to marry her by force a man of the tribe. This prolific director had given its pedigree to a very particular genre: the movie Bedouin kind of western East located in the desert, with a valiant hero defending his tribe with panache. His wife, the talented and effervescent Kouka it embodied the "Bedouin" proud and courageous. Samira will somehow take over by playing a series of musicals that
same character of pure and respectful peasant who always wins in the end. If films are not always very subtle, Samira did not go unnoticed: a pretty brunette, very busty, which is reminiscent of both Gina Lollobrigida and Sara Montiel. Between 1964, is found in a comedy "The Bedouin in Paris "where she tries to attract the attention of an unrepentant seducer (Rushdy Abaza). After having vainly searched the streets of Paris (notice how the Parisians are portrayed in this film as unpleasant one day), she dons a blonde wig (which suits her to perfection) and is pass for a European ... for he finally falls into his net. Note that during the filming of this movie, actress, refusing to be doubled, will severely hurt by falling from a rock and will undergo surgery that will delay the filming of several weeks.
In the same vein, then found the Bedouin .. In Rome (1965), in traditional dress, singing a very pretty ride deva
nt the Trevi Fountain. Very rhythmic melodies listen with great pleasure. Antar's Daughter (1964) is a big commercial success (in Tunisia, the film will continue to screen for several months): this is a historical epic recounting the exploits of Antar, the illegitimate son of an emir and a black slave. This legendary figure had already inspired several earlier films with the famous Niazi Mustafa Kouka and even a Hollywood production with Victor Mature.
The gypsy love (1972) was the subject of much attention (12-month shoot, which is extremely rare at the time). Regret was expressed at the time that "the Bedouin goat keepers are here portrayed as the bad guys meet nice Westernized Arab, drinking whiskey beside their swimming pool"
The beautiful desert, shot in 1974, will benefit from very critical favorable when it was broadcast in France three years later, "very properly directed, the film sets up a romantic atmosphere with fatal naivete are not without charm." The journal of cinema usually so reluctant to sell the Lebanese musical films "the captivating rhythms of songs from the beautiful Samira wanderings from village to village tribal gypsy" and a final, almost Hitchcockian "all e
No lamenting a second part which combines all the cliches. In 1976, Sami
ra involved in yet another version of the exploits of Antar, known this time, Antar rider of the desert, and telling her thwarted love with Abla. In 1977, Samira Tewfiq triumph in his turn singing at the Sheraton Cairo: it says she won 100,000 dollars in jewelry, watches and other gifts offered by its fans during his performance.
Tewfiq Samira's reputation was not confined to the eastern world. Ambassador Song Bedouin, the luscious brunette has also performed at the opera in Melbourne to London before Queen Elizabeth II (and also has an apartment in the capital London), Venezuela, in Paris (in 1993 the sports hall) and Lyon.
During his recital, the singer pays particular attention to its presentation featuring beautiful embroidered tunics, lovingly crafted by its designer of record. It is even said that the bodyguards had was committed to avoid the crowds of admirers inadvertently gentle on its sumptuous gold dresses or trying to snatch pieces, thinking that this
real gold! The star has long been surrounded by his brothers and sisters with whom she was very intimate, and during the Lebanese civil war (which began in 1975), home of the star will be affected by bombing and one of her sisters there lose his life: Samira will then raise her children. In the '70s, the singer has shared the life of the Lebanese TV director; More recently, she married a Lebanese businessman living in Sweden;
Always very popular in the 80s, it is said that the streets of Beirut were deserted when the singer was happening on television or played in a soap opera, people were glued to their TV screens!
Since then, the singer is much rarer and may regret it. In 2002, she made a comeback with his album noticed Mani al. She continues to inspire many artists in the Arab world and remains a well-respected by the Arab public.
