Dhaffer L’abdine-Mad Solutions
21 October 2017: The Tunisian star reveals in part two all the details about his work with Tom Hanks, his political opinion, his favorite football team and other.
What’s it been like working with international actors like Tom Hanks?
It wasn’t just a job for me; it was to observe and learn how the talented Hanks usually works, how he dealt with everything and everyone in the project; to know what made him at the end the one and only Tom Hanks. How he reached this level by working hard, being professional, respecting his work as well as respecting everyone in the cast. The super talented Hanks was the producer of the movie and at the same time the main actor in it, despite these facts he was the most handy person you need on set, he worked hard like anyone else, it was very interesting and useful experience working with him.
You’re currently in South Africa filming South of Hope Street. Tell us about this project.
I am currently in South Africa shooting something else that I can’t speak about now because the production company wants to announce it first but anyway it is not a movie it is a TV series.
Now that you are a regional star and already enjoy international recognition, what’s next in your career?
The next step is to try to choose like I have always done the best work opportunities possible whether in the Middle East or abroad. Also try to balance working in the west and in the Middle East. The more you work, the more you get better opportunities. I just want to perform the roles that challenge me, enhance my performance to be a better actor than what I am now.
The period between 2003-11, post-9/11, saw a bit of a change in the way Arabs are portrayed on screen. How do you see that? Is it a positive thing and do you feel that the cinema and TV industry can really break stereotypes?
The world changes and film and TV series simply reflect what happened in the world. Comedy, social, romantic or horror movies will not take notice of current affairs, but political drama takes into account what is happening. Of course they have to reflect what is happening in the world because this is the exact role art or media plays as a mirror to reality. But what is really missing from my point of view is that it is easy for us to sit here and talk about movies that claim that this side is right or the other side.
We have to make our own films that can go abroad, movies that really express our point of view and reflect our correct and clear opinion. That is exactly what we need to do in the Arab world and in Arab cinema, instead of waiting on other films to analyze our opinions and circumstances the way they like.
You have experienced both the Egyptian and Tunisian revolution. What’s that been like in terms of the change of culture?
The revolution is in mind more than anything else. The revolutions should change culture, and how we see things more than the political change in my point of view. Democracy is not something that we can achieve in two days or three days and the same is freedom of speech, they are something you learn and pass on from one generation to the other. I think we are still in the learning stage, to learn more about ourselves, and discovering what democracy is. To reach the phase that we want, we need a few years.
Dhaffer L’abdine-Mad Solutions
Do you still follow football? Who’s your favorite team?
Yes I watch international games especially. My favorite team in Tunisia is Taraji Riadhi Tounsi, while my favorite International team is Liverpool
Which of your projects is closest to your heart?
Each one of them has its own circumstances and timing so it is difficult for me to choose one. They are all close to my heart.
What was the role that made you want to start acting?
My first role in the movie about Maria. It really made me think that I love acting. I wanted to act before but this role convinced me this is a really interesting job. Through this job you can see different places and explore a variety of worlds through the process of filmmaking. Acting in this movie made me learn about how people lived so long ago thus enriching my general knowledge. Performing my role in ‘’Maria, Daughter of Her Son’’ taught me more about society, history and even myself while acting. The movie set was inside an ancient palace in Tunisia. Ince I walked in I realized many facts about how our ancestors lived. I said to myself this is really impressive and fascinating. Acting makes it easier for you to know how people think and react as well.
Who is your favorite singer?
I listen to Arab music and international music. My favorite singers are Sherine, Elissa and Saber Elrobaie.
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