Although the film “Rendition was a box office flop, it was not without its saving graces. One of these graces was Omar Metwally, Egypt’s new pride and joy.
History student-turned-actor, Metwally is the freshest Arab face to hit Hollywood. In a press conference at the Grand Hyatt hotel, journalists got the chance to ask Metwally about “Rendition, Hollywood, and what it’s like to be an Arab in America.
Dressed simply in blue jeans and a denim shirt, Metwally was noticeably nervous during the press conference, taking regular sips of water throughout the interview process. Still, his composure was overall fairly relaxed.
It was not surprising to hear that he studied history at Berkeley: his deep intelligence is not only something that shines through in his performances, but also through his general manner.
Answering every question with refined sincerity, Metwally defended “Rendition as a “great step in the portrayal of Arabs, as well as his decision to take the part in “Munich. When asked whether he had read the script before accepting the part as the embittered Palestinian in Munich, he answered that he had not read it in its entirety.
“So you were deceived? presumed the inquiring journalist. “No, replied Metwally, in mild amusement. “Even if I had read the whole script before auditioning, I still would have accepted the role.
His statement caused a stir among some journalists, who unlike Metwally, did not think that “Munich portrayed Palestinians sympathetically.
“And Spielberg, the Jewish director, asked the same journalist, “was he racist towards you as an Arab and a Muslim? The question clearly bemused Metwally, but ever the gentleman, he answered politely. “No, in fact, there are great attempts in Hollywood at the moment for people to reach out to each other – Christians, Muslims and Jews. In any case, had there been any racist treatment shown to me, I would not have been given these parts.
It was only when asked if people treated him differently once they knew his origins that Metwally let out a laugh, breaking his serious composure.
“People don’t care where you come from. In New York, everybody is international, so it doesn’t matter. All this talk about identity, it ceases to mean anything when your father is Arab, your mother is Dutch and you were born in America.’
With Egyptian journalists hailing him the new Omar Sharif, and urging that he learn Arabic and live in Cairo, Metwally has high expectations to live up to. But it’s clear that this actor is happy with where he is, and where he is going. Unfortunately for those super-nationalists, it’s not Egypt.
