Zayn Alexander
Zayn Alexander is a Lebanese director and actor based in New York City.[1] He is known for his work on the short films Abroad and Manara.[1][2][3]
Zayn Alexander | |
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Zayn Alexander at the 2018 Santa Barbara International Film Festival | |
Born | |
Occupation | Director, Actor |
Years active | 2012 - present |
Life and career
Alexander was born and raised in Lebanon.[3][4] Alexander studied psychology at the American University of Beirut and left for the United States to pursue acting in 2010.[3][5] In New York City, he met fellow actor, Pascale Seigneurie, who would soon become a frequent collaborator.[5] The two paired up to create Abroad, a film about a Lebanese couple pursuing their acting dreams in America and struggling with being typecast in Middle Eastern roles. Seigneurie wrote the short film, Alexander directed.[3][6][7] The film was shot in one day.[6] It debuted at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival in 2018.[7][3][8][9]
In 2019, Alexander and Seigneurie followed up with Manara, a short film about a Lebanese funeral and a family coping with the cultural pressures of Lebanese society.[5][2] Manara was filmed in Tyre, Lebanon.[5][10] It debuted at the 76th Venice International Film Festival in September 2019.[5][2]
Filmography
Year | Film | Actor | Role | Director | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2018 | Abroad | Jad | Short film | ||
2019 | Manara | Rami | Short film | ||
References
- "Zayn Alexander, comédien et metteur en scène libanais à New York". L'Orient-Le Jour. 25 September 2018. Retrieved 10 January 2020.
- "Lebanese Film 'Manara' Debuts at the 76th Annual Venice International Film Festival". Mondanite. 15 September 2019. Retrieved 10 January 2020.
- Hixon, Michael (9 February 2018). "Santa Barbara International Film Festival celebrates stars and independent filmmakers". The Beach Reporter. Retrieved 10 January 2020.
- Khalaf, Colette (11 July 2019). "Zayn Alexander, loin mais si proche du Liban". Lorient Le Jour. Retrieved 10 January 2020.
- Mottram, James (24 October 2019). "'Manara' sheds light on problems in Lebanese culture". The National. Retrieved 10 January 2020.
- "A Middle-Eastern Actor Couple Try to Navigate the Pressures of Relationships, Family & Typecasting in 'Abroad'". Directors Notes. 7 August 2018. Retrieved 10 January 2020.
- Rached, Nayla. "'ABROAD' DE ZAYN ALEXANDER : UNE QUESTION DE CHOIX". Agenda Culturel. Retrieved 10 January 2020.
- Hipes, Patrick (17 January 2018). "Santa Barbara Film Festival Lineup Unveiled". Deadline. Retrieved 10 January 2020.
- Marotta, Jenna (17 January 2018). "Santa Barbara Film Festival Announces 2018 Slate, Will Open with Emilio Estevez's 'the public'". IndieWire. Retrieved 10 January 2020.
- Codrai, Lorna (26 February 2020). "Manara: Highlights Lebanon's Increasing Mental Health Crisis". Film Inquiry. Retrieved 28 February 2020.
External links
- Zayn Alexander Official website
- Zayn Alexander on IMDb