Egyptian actor Ahmed Malek has global ambition
EL-GOUNA, Egypt: “I’m thirsty for more international projects,” admits Ahmed Malek, the young Egyptian star of ‘The Furnace’, an Australian western set amidst the gold rush of the late 19th century. Malek’s first Englishspeaking role, his portrayal of an Afghan cameleer in the Roderick MacKay directed feature has led to both critical acclaim and a widening of his own horizons.
“It’s very hard for us as Middle Eastern actors, especially those who were born here,” says Malek, who was one of the Toronto International Film Festival’s Rising Stars in 2018. “There is now a new wave of Middle Eastern actors in the US. There’s Rami Malek and Ramy Youssef winning at the Oscars and the Golden Globes. They are first generation, so they have the language and they have the culture. They were born and raised there. It makes my journey harder, I would say, because I don’t have the language yet and I do not have the culture.”
“I’m working on the language – to be able to be considered for more roles. And not only as a Middle Eastern guy, I would love one day to just play any kind of role. And I think the first obstacle will be the language, definitely. But what’s happening now globally is the industry is open to more cultures… The world is becoming more diverse and the industry is reflecting that. And therefore filmmakers do have the intention of having a more diverse cast and it gives credit to a movie when you see that diversity. So I want to hop on this train of the industry being thirsty for diverse characters.”
Smartly dressed, with slicked back hair and sunglasses, Malek has been at El Gouna Film Festival since ‘The Furnace’s’ regional premiere on Saturday and has been busy promoting the film ever since. Noticeably Covidconscious, he even sanitises a microphone before addressing a packed press conference.
“Unfortunately, the filmmakers and the crew didn’t have the chance to be here and it makes me sad to be promoting the film on my own,” he says. “Also, it leaves me with a big responsibility. But I’m flattered to be presenting the film here in the Middle East as a Middle East actor, although it feels weird and ironic that I’m also representing Australia as an Egyptian actor in Egypt.”
One of 16 films participating in El Gouna’s feature narrative competition, ‘ The Furnace’ tells the story of Hanif, a young Afghan cameleer who befriends a bushman ( played by David Wenham) on the run with some stolen gold in the Australian outback during the late 19th century.
Together, they must outsmart a zealous police sergeant and his troopers in a race to reach a secret furnace.
“I really enjoyed working with David,” says Malek, who first began his acting career as a child. “Such a humble character and such a well-crafted actor. I learned a lot from David – and I’m not just saying that.
“He was so humble, always on the ground, always open for discussions, always negotiating, very precise in his craft, very precise about what he does, always thinking about the role. So it gave me a push to always be sharp and to always focus and to always try to give my best. Because seeing a big name giving his best gives you so much. It burns the fuel of ‘yeah, yeah, I should give more’.”
Any culture shock from filming in Australia? “Yeah, I would say time,” he says with a laugh.
“Here in Egypt we take things much more slowly. We’re more laid back, even though Australians are very laid back as people as well. But they’re pretty sharp with time, so for me it was like ‘ah, okay, they’re very precise with time’, which makes everything more efficient.”
With starring roles in both Mohamed Diab’s criticallyacclaimed ‘Clash’ and Amr Salama’s ‘Sheikh Jackson’ already under his belt, Malek’s quest for more international projects is likely to be fulfilled. He had even begun pre-production for a shoot in London when Covid-19 hit and is as busy as ever at home in Egypt.
“For me, this is the beginning and I don’t want to celebrate too much,” he says. “It’s an important step and I’m very grateful for it. I feel so lucky to be part of ‘The Furnace’. I gave it my best and I’m now looking forward to what’s next. I started my international career with a strong stable beginning with ‘The Furnace’s’ premiere in Venice, and now here in El Gouna. I feel I’m on steady ground now and ready to take my next step.” — AFP