The late artist Antoinette Najib’s career was associated with many distinctive features. Our descriptions of her would always catch us off, guard. The late artist presented a career full of artistic works, behind more than 150 diverse works, between theater, radio, television, and cinema.
The Syrian director, Muhammad Zuhair Rajab, said in her lamentation: “The beloved of all, and the one with the kind heart.” This was after her death was announced in Damascus on August 17, 2022, after a long artistic career in which she participated in many series, plays, and films. [2]
The late artist Antoinette Najib Al-Balou’, a Syrian actress, was born in the city of Daraa and was the wife of the late artist Youssef Choueiri. She began her artistic life after she joined the Syrian Artists Syndicate in 1968. She participated in many works during her long artistic career, as she excelled in performing the role of the kind mother who watches over the comfort of her children, and she also presented several works of art on the stage and on Syrian radio. [1]
The first film with which the deceased entered the world of art is “Aaryat Bela Khataya”. It was produced in 1967 in Syria, and its events take place there. Its story revolves around three sisters whose life is hard after the death of their father, so they take wrong paths and decisions that lead them to work in prostitution.
The late had cinematic contributions during her career: including the movie “Four in Paradise Time” and the movie “Fake Up”; Which has not been shown yet, starring the artist Ayman Zidan, along with a group of Syrian actors.
The role of the mother in her series had a special imprint that was distinguished by the late Antoinette Najib. Who among us cannot remember the name of the late woman without recalling the character “Naima” in the two parts of the “Alfosoul Alarbaa” series? Naima, who was not actually a mother and could not start a family, but was present in the life of every house of the characters of the four seasons. She rejoices when they are happy, and grieve when they are sad, and tries to solve problems and express her opinion as she sees fit, as a mother and a person with extensive experience in life. Even if she was living within the walls of Malik Beyk Gurbar’s kitchen.
She was a devoted mother to her family, her artistic project, and everyone who knew her in the artistic community and in her private life. As Mohsen Ghazi, the head of the Syrian Artists Syndicate, mourned her when he said: “The departure of the great mother with her heart and tenderness – Antoinette Najib – left great sadness in the artistic community at all levels, as she is the lady of creativity and the loyal mother devoted to her artistic project.” [4]
The health of the late artist Antoinette Najib deteriorated before her death, so she underwent dialysis sessions, and entered the hospital in a critical condition before her death due to a pulmonary effusion.
She left behind a great artistic legacy and a human impact that touched everyone who was with her or close to her. With her present spirit, despite her absence, high position, and distinguished imprint in the field of art, the name Antoinette Najib will remain immortalized in the memory of Syrians and the history of Syrian art.
Between a strong and well-established television star in the series “Sah al-Nom”, starring the artist Duraid Lahham, and “Alfosoul Alarbaa” series. For more than a quarter of a century, the late artist presented artistic performances full of passion and sincere feeling, one that no artist or actor can convey to the viewer unless they are thoroughly capable of performing their role. Whether it’s heroic or secondary roles, or even as a guest star.
For the late artist Antoinette Najib to return and complete her artistic career – which lasted for nearly half a century and more – and present an exciting series of diverse artworks. Among her most important works in the theater: are the play “Hot bel khereg”, the play “Faina”, the play “Alashjar Tamout Wakefa”, “Saradyb Alsanaye’ya”, and “Sahra Ma’a Abu Khalil Al-Qabbani”. [3]
While her most prominent TV works were: Al-Dabour, Ahlam La Tamout, Al-Jawarih, Okhwat Al Tourab, Ayam Alghadab, Bayt Jaddi, Hammam Al-Qishani, Al-Khawali,Ryah Alkhamaseen, Donia, Rosanna, Alfosoul Alarbaa, and many others. [3]
The legacy of Antoinette Najib will remain ever-present and immortalized in all future works of art. This is what we have become accustomed to from authentic Syrian art throughout the ages. From the first theatrical works to the current TV works. Hoping that Syrian TV will remain in the foreground.
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References:
[1] Elcinema
[2] Sky News
[3] Marefa
[4] Sana