RAJA HAMID RASHID

Iraq — Iraqi artist Zahra Al-Rubai'i revisits prominent stations of her artistic career, which began in her childhood, recalling her beginnings in acting, her most notable works and experiences, and speaking about the transformations Iraqi art has witnessed between yesterday and today, as well as the challenges facing pioneering artists and the emigration of creatives after 2003.

Pioneering artist Zahra Al-Rubai'i spoke about her artistic career spanning decades, recalling the most prominent stations of her experience from her earliest beginnings in the world of acting, the circumstances that led her to the screen, as well as her vision of the reality of Iraqi art today and the transformations it has witnessed at the level of script, directing, production, and artists' wages. She also addressed the challenges she faced during her life and artistic career, affirming that her passion for acting is still present and that she remains committed to art to this day.

Regarding her artistic beginnings, she recalls her childhood years, saying: "I was a primary school student, and I participated in every occasion and artistic activity, and in activities held outside school when we were called upon, including performing plays dedicated to children."

She adds that her actual entry into the world of acting came during middle school, when she accompanied her sister, artist Fatima Al-Rubai'i, to one of the studios, where she met the great late artist Khalil Shawqi, who noticed her presence and immediately said he needed her to perform an artistic role.

She explained that family approval was not an easy matter, but she was, on the other hand, extremely enthusiastic about the experience and welcomed the idea immediately, until she obtained her parents' consent.

Thus began her first artistic steps in 1964, through the evening television play "Sabriya," directed by Hussein Al-Tikriti, when she was thirteen years old. She says the work was filmed and broadcast in black and white, achieved notable success, while her appearance was a surprise to her family members, who were astonished by her ability to perform and master the role.

 

The Difference in Artistic Work Between Yesterday and Today

Zahra Al-Rubai'i believes that artistic work in the past was completely different from what it is today: "We used to receive television scripts and we would all sit—the artistic crew—around one table, and read the series to its end daily. Today, we do not find this method in work. The director gives us the script or the scenes for each actor, and they are read individually by us, without a director hearing us, until entering the studio, so the artist has only read their own scenes."

She points out that there is an absence of coordination and fair distribution of roles, and most pioneers—including herself and those who were previously in the National Acting Troupe—have no artistic work: "I have experience spanning more than 53 years in acting, and I am known at the Arab level, and I have artistic works inside and outside Iraq. Yet we have been neglected."

Zahra Al-Rubai'i's first theatrical work was titled "(Then They Came to the City)," which is one of the international plays. She then worked in the play "(Al-Beyk and the Driver)" in 1975. She also worked in children's theater with the work "(They Are All My Children)," and in "(The Fifth of June Party)," in addition to other works.

 

Script, Production, Directing, and Acting

Zahra Al-Rubai'i believes that scripts and artistic works have witnessed a major change in recent years. After works previously enjoyed wide audience following when shown, today they suffer from a lack of screenings and available roles, in addition to the absence of clear distinctions between the experienced artist and the newcomer to the field of acting.

She also criticizes the failure to rely on pioneering directors under the pretext of their high wages, explaining that a list was previously hung in the building of Iraqi Radio and Television containing the Artists' Syndicate classification: excellent‑grade actor, first, second, and third grade, in addition to classifications (A, B, C). Currently, this classification no longer exists.

Zahra Al-Rubai'i believes that the Artists' Syndicate can protect the artist's rights to some extent through its capabilities, as the Syndicate can intervene and discuss with official channels, but with the spread of private satellite channels, the Syndicate cannot control them all.

 

The Events of 2003 and the Emigration of Artists

Zahra Al-Rubai'i points out that the events of 2003 greatly affected Iraqi artists and led to the emigration of the senior ones after the events due to security conditions. Many programs on radio and television were closed, and a number of ministries were abolished.

Regarding the role she wishes to perform, she says: "I wish to perform the role of Al-Khansa, that great woman who lost her sons, as well as Umm Al-Banin who lost her sons. I wish to perform one of these characters, because they are strong and complex characters, good roles, and they need a brave, steadfast, and resilient woman."

Artist Zahra Al-Rubai'i stressed that her choice of art would remain her decision if she were given the chance to live her life stages again, explaining that she does not see herself in any field other than art, and that her love for acting surpasses everything.

Throughout her artistic career, Zahra Al-Rubai'i retains a large record of awards and honors she has garnered over years of giving, seeing them as prominent milestones and historical symbols documenting her creative journey, as well as being a witness to a rich artistic career full of giving and achievement that has contributed to enriching Iraqi art and drama.