Who is KSA Actress Marya Bahrawi? 5 Facts You Didn’t Know About The “Norah” Star
Bazaar Arabia shares everything you need to know about the young woman who plays the lead role in KSA’s first film to debut at Cannes
Saudi Arabia has made its maiden entry into the prestigious Cannes Film Festival with Norah and the young actress playing the lead in the movie is making waves in the region’s entertainment industry.
Marya Bahrawi, a rising star hailing from KSA, has given life to director Tawfik AlZaidi’s drama; set in the 1990s, the tale tells the story of a woman from a remote village in The Kingdom. In honour of the film’s recognition at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, Bazaar Arabia is sharing five little-known facts about young actress Marya Bahrawi here
Who Is Marya Bahrawi? 5 Facts About The Rising Saudi Star
She Grew Up In KSA
The Saudi Arabian newcomer was born and raised in the port city of Jeddah. According to an interview with Arab News, the actress revealed that she took advice from the women in her family before playing the role of Norah. Needing to tap into the past and the intricacies rural living, the actress received tips from her loved ones on how to perfect wearing an abaya and niqab for her character.
She Entered The Industry As A Teen
The young actress, who has already become an inspiration for girls in the region looking to enter the film industry, is only 18 years old.
Her Film Made History
Marya’s first big film, Norah, which was shot in AlUla, has made history as the official selection from Saudi Arabia to enter the Cannes Film Festival. The movie is set to make its international debut as part of the annual event’s Un Certain Regard section.
The story follows an artist named Nader, who has given up painting due to societal norms and has become a schoolteacher, where he meets a woman named Norah: an orphan who seems to be struggling with pursuing her dreams and in an arranged marriage she doesn’t want to be a part of.
She Was Picked For The Role After Her First Audition
The actress who has garnered praise for her performance, was cast in the film in 2022 after auditioning in person only once, according to Arab News.
She Has A Growing Instagram Presence
From sharing shots from the red carpet to giving her over 33,000 followers a look into the behind-the-scenes of projects she’s working on, the young artist is only growing in popularity on Instagram.
Lead image courtesy of Instagram/@just.maarya