Tempo’s Dorian “Paul D” Rogers sat with award-winning actor and film jack-of-all trades Assem Kroma over coffee to discuss his experiences and the changing scene of film and the performing arts in the UAE.
Paul D: How did you wind up in the UAE?
Assem: I was raised in UAE and have spent most of my life here. I spent some time in Lebanon and Syria which added a lot of depth and dimension to my personality because I’ve met people from different backgrounds and beliefs.
Paul D: I hear your mother was an accomplished artist. What was her medium?
Assem: She was a painter and one of the people who started the artistic scene in UAE through her association with the cultural foundation. Three of her paintings traveled the world in art galleries. She was a popular face on UAE TV to teach art and cover the artistic scene in the region. Yet, at some point she decided to leave it all behind to ensure that her kids could achieve their dreams.
Paul D: Did she push you towards the arts at an early age?
Assem: She never ‘pushed’ me but watched over me, encouraging me to have hobbies, especially reading. She taught me that art is a lifestyle. You need to live it, not fake it, and that art is something which comes out of your heart to reach others. She sees art as being about honesty.
Paul D: You’ve been involved in many artistic forms, such as tap dancing, body beats, Salsa, Tango, classical singing, experimental theatre, scene study, method acting, filmmaking, Meisner technique, standup comedy and improvisation. Do you believe the saying, “A jack of all trades and a master of none”, or do you think that all passions can be mastered with the right amount of talent and dedication?
Assem: I believe that there are no rules in life. I don’t follow rules. I create them, but that doesn’t mean that we are not supposed to have an objective in life. Mine is acting before anything else, and then comes writing and filmmaking. What I always do is challenge myself, exploring my abilities and sharpening my tools.
Paul D: I was really impressed with your acting in “Tooth of Hope”. Your handle on comedy and drama allowed you to play a role in which you made the audience both laugh and cry. Do you find your real personality to possess these serious and humorous dynamics, or is this a skill-set acquired in acting?
Assem: Waleed in “Tooth of Hope” has so much of my personality, and yet, so much is not me. But, as I said, we both have the same original mix of components, starting with both of us being human. The set of skills comes down to how to build that character to become a breathing human being, and how to be able to express his feelings authentically without forcing it.
Paul D: When it comes to film, you have also written, produced, and directed your own work. Do you prefer to be behind or in front of the camera?
Assem: Each has its own charm, but acting will always be my most favorite part. It gives me the chance to unite with humans, to touch their lives and to give them moments of magic. I still remember the amazing audience who stopped me after each film to tell me how it made them feel. Some even shared some very personal feelings and stories with me.
Paul D: I know I was one of them! What is your outlook on the film industry in the UAE? Are you optimistic about its potential for growth?
Assem: I am very optimistic about it – it just needs time, patience and loads of hard work. I believe that we have huge pool of undiscovered talent waiting to be discovered. Did you ever imagine watching films like what you saw at the latest local film festivals which were completely created here to reflect our stories?
Paul D: The Meisner technique stresses authenticity in acting. Most American actors/actresses believe that you have to become the character from within by undergoing a psychological transformation, and other disciplines believe that you simply have to display the behavior of that character. What is your approach to being genuine on stage or in film?
Assem: In short, I believe in turning the character into a breathing human being regardless of how you do that. I use all the skills I acquired through my human experiences and studying in different acting schools to come up with a mixture which makes the character start breathing. The moment I think for my character then I have failed.
Paul D: How can a beginning actor or actress get started in the UAE? What steps would you recommend?
Assem: First of all get rid of your ego. Be ready to expose yourself because as Rosalind Russell said, “Acting is standing up naked and turning around very slowly.” So make sure that you really want to act because if you are there for the wrong reasons, you won’t enjoy the process.
Paul D: And where do you see yourself in five years?
Assem: I see myself enjoying my current journey and touching more lives while doing so. How about you Paul?
Paul D: Hopefully here in the UAE still meeting cool artists like you.
Twitter: @assemkroma
www.awesome-kroma.com
Photos taken by James Simmons of JS Photography
