Acting
Leila Shenna
Leila Shenna (Arabic: ليلى شنّا), a Moroccan actress born in Morocco, gained prominence in the film industry during the 1970s. She is best known to English-speaking audiences for her captivating portrayal of a villainous air hostess in the iconic 1979 James Bond film, *Moonraker*. Beyond her memorable role as a Bond girl, Shenna's filmography includes significant performances in several acclaimed films.
In 1968, she appeared in *Remparts d'argile*, a film directed by Jean-Louis Bertucelli, which was later released in the United States as *Ramparts of Clay*. This film marked her entry into international cinema. She further distinguished herself in *Chronique des années de braise* (1975), a film that won the prestigious Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival, directed by Mohammed Lakhdar-Hamina. Shenna also starred in *Vent de sable* (1982), another collaboration with Lakhdar-Hamina, set against the backdrop of the desert.
In addition to her film career, Leila Shenna has familial ties to notable literature; she is the cousin of Malika Oufkir, author of *Stolen Lives: Twenty Years in a Desert Jail*, which recounts the historical events surrounding a failed assassination attempt on the Moroccan king by her father, General Mohamed Oufkir. Shenna's contributions to cinema remain a significant part of her legacy.
