Zayn Alexander

Summary

Zayn Alexander is a Lebanese film director and actor based in New York City.[1] He is known for his work on the short films Abroad and Manara.

Zayn Alexander
Born
Alma mater
Occupation(s)Director, Actor
Years active2012 - present

Life and career edit

Alexander was born and raised in Lebanon.[2][3] Alexander studied psychology at the American University of Beirut and left for the United States to pursue acting in 2010.[2][4] In New York City, he met fellow actor, Pascale Seigneurie, who would soon become a frequent collaborator.[4] 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.[2][5][6] The film was shot in one day.[5] It debuted at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival in 2018.[6][2][7][8] The Moise A. Khayrallah Center has awarded Alexander and Abroad The 2020 Khayrallah Art Prize.[9][10]

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.[4] Manara was filmed in Tyre, Lebanon.[4][11] It debuted during the 76th Venice International Film Festival in September 2019.[4]

Filmography edit

Year Film Actor Role Director Notes
2018 Abroad  Y Jad  Y Short film
2019 Manara  Y Rami  Y Short film

References edit

  1. ^ "Zayn Alexander, comédien et metteur en scène libanais à New York". L'Orient-Le Jour. 25 September 2018. Retrieved 10 January 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d Hixon, Michael (9 February 2018). "Santa Barbara International Film Festival celebrates stars and independent filmmakers". The Beach Reporter. Retrieved 10 January 2020.
  3. ^ Khalaf, Colette (11 July 2019). "Zayn Alexander, loin mais si proche du Liban". Lorient Le Jour. Retrieved 10 January 2020.
  4. ^ a b c d e Mottram, James (24 October 2019). "'Manara' sheds light on problems in Lebanese culture". The National. Retrieved 10 January 2020.
  5. ^ a b "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.
  6. ^ a b Rached, Nayla (14 September 2018). "'ABROAD' DE ZAYN ALEXANDER : UNE QUESTION DE CHOIX". Agenda Culturel. Retrieved 10 January 2020.
  7. ^ Hipes, Patrick (17 January 2018). "Santa Barbara Film Festival Lineup Unveiled". Deadline. Retrieved 10 January 2020.
  8. ^ 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.
  9. ^ "Two winners announced as US university celebrates Arab art with Khayrallah Prize". Arab News. 2021-03-03. Retrieved 2021-03-05.
  10. ^ "Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies - NC State". lebanesestudies.ncsu.edu. Archived from the original on 2023-01-09. Retrieved 2021-03-05.
  11. ^ Codrai, Lorna (26 February 2020). "Manara: Highlights Lebanon's Increasing Mental Health Crisis". Film Inquiry. Retrieved 28 February 2020.

External links edit

  • Zayn Alexander Official website
  • Zayn Alexander at IMDb