Ali Suliman likes a good

Ali Suliman was first introduced to international audiences as Khaled in Hani Abu Assad’s Golden Globe-winning film, Paradise Now. After this breakthrough, he played a myriad of roles including a lawyer, Zaid Daud, in Lemon Tree and surgeon Amin Jaafari in The Attack.

Now, we see him as psychopathic policeman Dbaan in Majid Al Ansari’s Zinzana. Suliman plays an officer who forces Talal (Saleh Bakri), a prisoner, to pretend to be mad to save his family’s life.

After its first Dubai screening on Thursday at the 12th edition of Dubai International Film Festival (Diff), the film is now out in cinemas across the UAE.

Here’s what he had to say in a chat with tabloid!

What differentiates your role in from your previous ones in cinema?

It is a very nice, funny and complicated character. My character in Zinzana has many unique qualities that never existed in any character I have played before.

What attracted you to Dbaan’s character?

Zinzana introduces in the Arab region a new genre, which is known as the psychological thriller. I think this is a great step in Arab cinema, and the film is a gateway to many Arab films that carry the same genre.

Tell us about any challenges you faced while shooting for this film.

The filming — in one location and in chronological sequence — was very challenging. At the beginning of shooting, the chronological order really helped in developing the character, but the last two weeks of shooting where really hard, especially my end scenes where my character is burned.

I had to sit for almost three hours in make-up as a mask was prepared for my face. It was really difficult for me to see and hear anyone or interact with the crew, the director and the actors. What is your dream role?

I want to play every nice and new role. I want to play a role that challenges me, but I should also enjoy playing it.

There are not many characters that can give me that challenge and [get me]to say: ‘Wow, I want to live the character to the last bit’.

How do you see the future of Palestinian cinema?

The fact that there are nine Palestinian films participating this year in Diff says a lot. I am very optimistic and proud. Palestinian cinema is a way of resistance, and it also shows that we Palestinians love life and art. In previous years, the Palestinian cinema was not very active, but now we have a talented new generation that can take over the platform. I think Diff is a great step towards encouraging the Arab cinema and Palestinian cinema in particular.

What is your next project?

My next project is The Worthy, directed by Emirati director Ali Mostafa and produced by Image Nation Abu Dhabi. It is going to be released next year.

Farah Ahmed is an intern at Gulf News.