The Tunisian superstar opens up about her bold shift from acting to directing, the story that pushed her behind the camera, and why the Arab film world desperately needed a festival like Doha.
Tunisian sensation Dorra Zarrouk, one of the Arab world’s most beloved actresses, has officially stepped into her next era — and it is powerful, emotional, and deeply personal. As she arrived at the first-ever Doha Film Festival, all eyes were on the actress-turned-director whose debut documentary “The Life That Remains” continues to stir conversations and spark standing ovations across international festivals.
Zarrouk, known globally for performances that blend elegance with emotional grit, stunned fans when she quietly transitioned behind the camera last year. But the story that pushed her to direct wasn’t glamorous, scripted, or planned. It was an urgent, heartbreaking message from a young woman fleeing Gaza — and that moment changed everything.
A Message From Gaza That Changed Dorra’s Life
During her conversation at the festival, Dorra revealed that directing was never the plan. “I didn’t plan to direct at all,” she admitted. But as the Gaza war intensified and the world watched in horror, she felt helpless. Posting on social media wasn’t enough. Words weren’t enough.
Then came the message.
A young Gazan mother, Nadine, reached out to Dorra over Instagram — not to ask for help, but simply to say her family was leaving their home and heading to Egypt. Dorra was struck by the dignity in that message, the quiet courage behind it.
That was the spark.
Without waiting for funding, producers, or even a formal plan, Dorra grabbed her camera and flew to Egypt to document the family’s journey of displacement, survival, and quiet resilience.
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A Documentary Built on Trust, Pain, and Unexpected Hope
“The Life That Remains” isn’t a political film; it’s a deeply intimate portrait of a family trying to rebuild their lives. Shot mostly in their temporary home in Egypt, the film focuses not on war itself, but on the human beings forced to pick up the pieces after losing everything.
Dorra recalls how the family initially reacted to being filmed. “They were surprised,” she said. “But when you’ve lost everything, a project like this can feel like a small ray of hope.”
Soon, the younger sisters started calling Dorra on her off days, asking when the next shoot would be. They had lost their sense of routine — and the film gave them something resembling structure.
One of the most emotional moments occurred when one of the sisters broke down in front of the camera, then immediately asked Dorra to remove the footage because she was “the strong one.” But Dorra knew the truth was in the contradiction — strength and fragility living in the same moment. That is precisely what the documentary captures.
Standing Ovations Across Festivals
The documentary’s first screening at the Cairo Film Festival left the family — and the audience — in tears. Palestinians came up to Dorra afterward, sharing that they saw their own lives reflected in Nadine’s story.
Since then, the film has traveled to Carthage, Rotterdam, and beyond, earning emotional praise for its raw honesty. Dorra says audiences often don’t expect documentaries to strike so deeply, but sometimes reality hits harder than fiction.
Doha Film Festival Makes Its Grand Entrance — And Dorra’s All In
Dorra’s presence at the inaugural Doha Film Festival added star power to a moment already significant for the region.
A festival doesn’t just screen films — it completes them, she said.
And she’s right. For Arab cinema, which holds countless stories but often lacks platforms to amplify them, a festival of this scale in Qatar is a game-changer. The Doha Film Institute’s support for independent films is well known, but a festival creates the vital bridge between filmmakers and the public.
Dorra believes this festival will only grow bigger — and that’s exactly what the region needs.
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Directing Gave Dorra a Taste of Freedom She Never Expected
After decades of delivering unforgettable performances, Dorra says her first experience as a director was liberating.
“When you act, you serve someone else’s vision. When you direct, you create your own universe.”
She found herself fascinated by editing, sound design, and every technical detail that brings a film to life. Being off-camera allowed her to reset emotionally and creatively.
And yes — she’s already thinking about directing again.
Maybe fiction this time.
But only when the right story calls to her.
The Secret Behind Her 20-Year Longevity? Staying Grounded.
In an industry that moves as fast as social media trends, staying relevant for two decades is no small achievement. Dorra admits the journey isn’t glamorous — and definitely not constant.
There were periods of doubt. Times when she wasn’t getting good scripts. Moments when the spotlight drifted.
But she learned the one skill every great star needs: reinvention.
“A film or a series may succeed or may not. You learn not to panic. You learn to ask: What do I do in these quiet moments? How do I transform myself for the next step?”
Her mantra has always been the same:
Stay grounded.
Stay real.
Never assume fame lasts forever.
Keep moving — always.
Dorra Zarrouk: The Actress. The Director. The Voice the Arab World Needs.
“The Life That Remains” proves Dorra is far more than an on-screen icon. She is a storyteller who understands empathy at its deepest level. And her presence at the Doha Film Festival only reinforces what the Arab entertainment industry already knows:
Dorra Zarrouk isn’t just a star.
She is a force.
And she’s just getting started.
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