Rana Sultan

text Mathew Teller

Rana Sultan is one of the best-known faces on Jordan TV. She presents the popular news magazine show Yis’ed Sabahak. Now she’s made the transition to the big screen in award-winning Jordanian film Captain Abu Raed, the story of an old man who tries to help a group of kids break out of poverty – released in Amman in February.

01/How did you come to make the leap from TV to film?
I met Amin [Matalqa, the director] in 2006 and he offered me the part. At first I turned it down, but then I read the script and fell in love with the story. I think it will change the way women in the Arab world are perceived.

02/How will that happen?
Because Nour, my character, is beautiful, but not dumb! She’s an airline pilot, from a prestigious family, who refuses to get married. She’ll be an inspiration to Middle Eastern girls.

03/What was the shoot like?
I loved the fact so that many nationalities were represented on set. It felt like a big family. Nadim [Sawalha, who plays Captain Abu Raed] was marvellous and very down to earth. He helped me a lot.

04/What sort of impact do you think the film will have?
I think there will be some shock. Movies don’t solve anything, but they do put a spotlight on issues and this movie shows lots of aspects of our community, like domestic problems and the kids who sell gum at traffic lights, that we haven’t seen on screen before.

05/After Captain Abu Raed’s success at the Dubai film festival, and now Sundance, how do you see your future?
Well, it could be this is my first and last film. I’m not thinking about a life change to a future in acting. I’m already doing something I like and I don’t need lots of fame. I just want people to believe in me. www.captainaburaed.com