Cosmo ME got the opportunity to speak exclusively with award-winning  British-Egyptian actor Amir El Masry at the 2020 Cairo Film Festival, about his new Indie movie Limbo.

Throughout his acting career Amir has taken on different roles, but he says that his new movie, Limbo, was “one of the hardest projects” he’s ever had to do.

Cosmopolitan ME: Tell us about the movie Limbo.

Amir: Limbo is a comedy-drama about a young Syrian musician who travels to the UK to seek asylum and to bring his family over. This movie portrays a vital message for the people who are alien to the refugee crisis, and who assume that refugees just want to take up their space. 

C: You mentioned that Limbo uses humour to address the refugee crisis. How do you find the balance between shedding light on the issue, while making the movie entertaining to watch?

A: The most powerful way to tell an important subject matter is through comedy and lighthearted ways of storytelling. When I sat with refugees in Scotland, I found that as Arabs, we use humour as a mechanism to get through our difficult moments. It is quite ingrained in our culture, so if anything, it is useful to have humour in our film.

C: What made you confident that you could humanise the story right away?

A: I was afraid initially. But when I read the script, it was safe to say that it was the first time I laughed and cried at the same time, because Ben Sharrock injects so much human and Arab culture in there. Having spoken to refugees, they all simply just missed home and did not want to be where they were, and that is why I wanted to do this film.

C: How did you prepare for Limbo:

A: It took me a long time getting there. I had to drive all the way to Scotland to feel isolated from everybody. Coming from an urban city, it is difficut to gain that calm when there’s nothing else to do except sit with yourself. In this journey, I was exhausted, but my heart was so full.

C: As a person of colour, what are some of the acting struggles you’ve faced in your career?

A: Initially, when I came out of drama school, I thought I could do any role. But I soon realised that how I looked was quite prominently the deciding factor. I have no problem playing Arab characters because that is who I am. But when it is the industry telling you that is who you are and those are the only characters you can play, that can be very difficult. I never want to be in a job because of my skin colour. I want to be part of the cast because I was the right person for that job.

Location: The Cario Mariott Hotel

Shot on: Nikon Z6

Suit by @orangesquarecairo

Styled by @nada_hussam

Tie & Fine Jewelry: @nouribrahimm @mariainthelayout

PR: Marwa ElSawy