And the fictional characters give a lot of comedic lift for the film. And, Ben, the film was shot in the Outer Hebrides in Scotland.
GARCIA-NAVARRO: Yeah, because the film is profoundly funny in parts. And I actually loved that the film has that balance between humor and tragedy to tell a story like this. And one of the things I noticed actually from sitting with them was the amount of humor that they used to kind of cover or to talk about their previous kind of hardships. We were working with an organization in Scotland that work with a Syrian single men's group. GARCIA-NAVARRO: You spent time with refugees to prepare for this role.ĮL-MASRY: Yes. But I never got the saying because we always had apricots. But you use it for something that will never happen. It means tomorrow, there will be apricots. And also, we're constantly reminded of how beautiful Syria is and how much he longs to be back home with his family.ĮL-MASRY: (As Omar) After spring, the apricots will start to grow in the garden. You know, he put Omar into the forefront of the narrative. And I certainly found that when I read Ben's script when I first got it. It's a part of my identity - so long as, you know, the character, we understand where he's come from, where he's going, what his wants, needs are and fears. What drew you to play this character?ĮL-MASRY: I don't have a problem playing anybody that is, you know, Middle Eastern, you know, because that's something I'm proud of.ĮL-MASRY: That's who I am. I mean, you're British Egyptian, and you have noted in the past that sort of Middle Eastern and North African actors often get typecast. GARCIA-NAVARRO: Amir, talk to me about your journey to this film. So I think it's just lots of things along the way that kind of made me see refugees as ordinary people that are caught in very difficult and tragic and unfortunate circumstances. And, you know, I made friends through playing in the rugby team in Damascus or being, you know, involved in theater there and then, you know, carrying some of those relationships forward as well and that kind of realization that I have so much in common with these people, and this kind of label of being a refugee is actually very damaging to their own identity. It does kind of stem back all the way to the point where I was living in Syria, which was just the year before the civil war started. What did you take from those experiences that translated into this film? You studied Arabic and politics for your undergrad. GARCIA-NAVARRO: Ben, tell me about your own journey to this film because you have spent time in refugee camps. And that guilt he's trying to justify by constantly trying to have, you know, those conversations with his parents about, you know, what it means to be in the U.K. His brother fought in the civil war in Syria.ĮL-MASRY: Absolutely. I mean, his parents are in Turkey eking out a living. And he's almost dealing with survivor's guilt. And we see him completely numb of that and void of anything that kind of resembles home. He's a young man who lived quite a colorful, lavish life playing music with his family. Who is he when we meet him in this story?ĮL-MASRY: From the start, we meet someone who's vacant, who's been stripped of his identity. GARCIA-NAVARRO: I want to start with you, Amir.
LIMBO FILM 2021 MOVIE
Amir El-Masry plays Omar in the new movie "Limbo." Ben Sharrock wrote and directed it. GARCIA-NAVARRO: But despite his peers' attempts, Omar struggles to merge his new identity as a refugee with what he left behind. KNUDSEN: (As Helga) And we could have a finger buffet at the interval. KNUDSEN: (As Helga) Oh, well, we should organize a concert.ĬOLLARD: (As Boris) That's a wonderful idea - Syrian music here on the island. It's like a guitar.ĬOLLARD: (As Boris) Ah, and you brought that all the way from Syria? KENNETH COLLARD: (As Boris) What instrument is that, anyway?ĪMIR EL-MASRY: (As Omar) Oud. SIDSE BABETT KNUDSEN: (As Helga) Did you used to be a musician, Omar? That's a Middle Eastern string instrument. The only thing tying him to where he's from is his oud. The new movie "Limbo" takes place on a remote island of Scotland where a group of refugees is waiting for asylum.
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