Written by: Mohammed Omran
At a time when calls are increasing to highlight cultural and human diversity within the African continent, the Sudanese artist emphasized Islam Mubarak Art is one of the most important tools capable of correcting stereotypes and presenting African societies in a more realistic and profound way.
Artist Islam Mubarak tells Zoom Africa News: I strive to present the African people beyond stereotypes.
In an exclusive interview with Zoom Africa News, Mubarak stated that portraying African characters requires a genuine understanding of their human and cultural nuances, moving beyond pre-packaged stereotypes that often reduce the continent's people to a single image. She added that her first step in preparing for any role is to eliminate preconceived notions and stereotypes, because Africans possess diverse experiences and stories that cannot be confined to a single model.
She explained that the artistic preparation for any character is not limited to memorizing the script or studying the events, but also includes researching the social and cultural environment to which the character belongs, understanding their daily habits, way of thinking, feelings, and challenges. She noted that she always pays close attention to the small details related to the character, believing that these details are what lend the performance its authenticity and make the audience more connected to the work.
Mubarak stressed that the biggest challenge facing an artist when portraying an African character is achieving a balance between realism and the dramatic dimension, so that the character appears naturally, far from exaggeration or simplification.
The Sudanese artist stressed the importance of drama and cinema in building bridges of communication between peoples and promoting mutual knowledge between African and Arab societies, emphasizing that soft power has a great impact on changing prevailing ideas and promoting cultural convergence.
She concluded by emphasizing that the future of African art is promising, especially with the growing interest in local stories and diverse human experiences, expressing her hope to participate in joint productions that highlight the richness and cultural and civilizational diversity of the African continent, and give the public an opportunity to learn about Africa from the perspective of its people.
