Sunday, January 27, 2008
Friday, January 18, 2008
‘Charming romantic comedy’ is a critique of Arab women’s roles
The Arab-American community complains that we see few representations of Arab men here besides the terrorists or thugs who have become the default villains in action movies and military-style television series like "24." But images of Arab women are nonexistent — they’re either wrapped in robes or not there at all. So it will please that special-interest group now that there’s an Arab chick flick in the theater, with gorgeous, sympathetic Arab women who have issues with romance and identity that any woman can relate to. That should make them happy, shouldn’t it? We’ll see.
The Lebanese selection for best Foreign Language Film category at the Oscars, "Caramel" is a charming romantic comedy with a sharp edge that manages to present a pointed critique of the place women fill in the Arab world, even in an emancipated and modern society such as Lebanon. The women in the film — all stunningly beautiful and none of them professional actresses — have to navigate a culture that tries to keep them in their place and under control in a thousand ways.
Set in Beirut, the movie focuses on a group of women of different ages who frequent a ramshackle beauty parlor. The owner, Layale, played by the film’s young director and screenwriter Nadine Labaki, is having an affair with a married man. Layale is a Christian, like most of the characters, but of course that doesn’t affect the fact that she’s desperately in love with Rabih. An unseen charmer, he pulls up in front of the shop — presumably when he has a free hour — and honks for her to come out.
Scenes from ‘Caramel,’ directed by Natine Labaki. Photos courtesy of Roadside Attractions.
Her friend and fellow hairdresser Nisrine rolls her eyes when Layale goes running out, but with a sense of understanding rather than disapproval. Nisrine has her own problems. A Muslim, she’s engaged to be married, but her fiancé doesn’t’ know that she isn’t a virgin. Nisrine carefully rolls down her sleeves and buttons her blouse over her tight camisole when she and her boyfriend visit his family, and we understand everything about a woman’s role in a Lebanese Muslim household from that scene. The women literally fight over who can do more to serve the men at the table. The scene is funny and good-natured, but it makes its point.
Rima is the other woman who works in the shop, and she’s a different type altogether. Dressed in loose jeans rather than the tight, revealing clothes of the other young women, Rima is clearly a lesbian, although it’s uncertain if she knows. Sneaking glances at pretty girls on the bus, she seems uncomfortable in her own body. When an unfamiliar woman comes into the shop for a shampoo, Rima is powerfully smitten.
Several other women have major roles in the film as well, and their stories are told with the same warmth and genuineness as the women in the salon. Although there is absolutely no feminist rhetoric in "Caramel," there is a powerful sense of sisterhood, of the emotional bonds that form between women wherever they may live — in a Arab country with its long history of oppression, in America where a woman can earn women’s votes by showing a little of what’s behind the mask, and in Israel, a country that’s both modern and Middle Eastern in its attitude toward women.
The title of the film refers to the method of hair removal popular in Lebanon. Instead of wax, Layale cooks up caramel, cools it slightly, and then uses it to remove body hair. Offering a special on this sugar waxing, she lures her lover’s wife to the salon, just so she can see her competition. Rather than being creepy, this scene underscores the poignant situation of the two women, desperately trying to please the man they both love. The need of all the women in "Caramel" to please the men in their lives — most of whom are sensitive and well-meaning — is what gives the film its affecting quality. For these women, life without marriage or love is unthinkable, and they’ll go to any lengths — trickery, deceit, surgery — to keep themselves desirable and acceptable to men. Their only power is in their bodies, and that’s why the beauty salon becomes the symbol of their oppression as well as their strength.
"Caramel" opens in New York on
Jan. 25.
On a mission to change mindsets
| by Bindu Rai on Friday,January 18,2008 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Last Update at 7:45 pm on January 18, 2008 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Friday, November 2, 2007
Israel's human comedy wins Sakura Grand Prix
The weeklong Tokyo International Film Festival closed with the top prize awarded to The Band's Visit--a heartwarming human comedy of awkward relationships between Egyptians and Israelis.
"Every time you get something big, your first thoughts are really small. You think, 'I should go this way or that way'...Only after, do you [feel], 'Ah it's really good,'" director Eran Kolirin said at a press conference, recalling his thoughts when he stood on the stage as his film was chosen for the Sakura Grand Prix at the closing ceremony.
Sasson Gabai, the lead actor in the film, said he was also surprised.
"When they announced the other winners, I said, 'Ah, not this prize, not this prize...' Gabai said. "I then thought I shouldn't expect that much and I lost hope toward the end."
An Egyptian police band led by Tewfiq (Gabai) is invited to perform at an Arab Cultural Center in Israel. Because of inadequate English proficiency, they get lost and wind up staying overnight at an Israeli home. The band's blue uniforms with peaked hats comically represent the nervousness of the Egyptians, while the Israelis' confusion over how to deal with the serious-looking Egyptians is realistically portrayed, evoking laughter.
The film, which will open in December, was jointly made by people of different ethnicities living in the region.
During the press briefing, the shy and modest Kolirin often got help from Gabai when the director was baffled by questions from reporters. When one asked the director, "Why do you think people like this film so much?" Gabai answered instead.
"I think it's the need for comfort and compassion...They [characters in the film] don't have the barriers, they don't have the citizenship, they don't have the countries behind them, the professions, their own local environment. Their situation brings them together, and once they succeed in trying, at least, to interact with each other...anybody who sees it will [have] compassionate feelings," he said.
Chinese film The Western Trunk Line, directed by Li Jixian, took home the Special Jury Prize. The Award for Best Director was given to Peter Howitt of Dangerous Parking, in which he also was the main character, Noah, a desperate alcoholic and drug addict.
The Award for Best Actor went to teenager Damian Ul in the Polish film Trick, while Shefali Shah in Gandhi My Father got the best actress prize. The Award for Best Artistic Contribution went to The Waltz, directed by Italian Salvatore Maira.
===
Mideast reality
This year's Tokyo International Film Festival presented a greater variety of Middle Eastern films, thanks to the expansion of the selections with the "Winds of Asia--Middle East" division. Crossing the Dust, by Iraqi Kurdish director Shawkat Amin Korki, is one such movie that vividly depicts the lives of Arabs and Kurds after the collapse of the regime of Saddam Hussein.
"I wanted viewers to think about how people should live their lives," the director said during his visit to Tokyo for the festival. "Long-lasting conflicts and wars tend to take humanity away, but I wanted to convey the idea that people are human beings after all."
Two Kurdish soldiers find a lost Arab boy named Saddam while they are transporting food, and try to locate his parents. The film realistically depicts the situation in the region, including how U.S. soldiers look to ordinary people from a Kurdish point of view, allowing us to see something we can't see from media coverage.
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/features/arts/20071102TDY14003.htm
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Showcomedy The Destination For The Worlds Funniest Comedians And Hit Series
Dubai, UAE - October 28, 2007: SHOWCOMEDY just got a whole lot funnier with a line up of stand up comedians and much more that will have you in hysterics throughout November.
Axis of Evil a trio of Middle Eastern comics made up of Ahmed Ahmed, Aron Kader and Maz Jobrani specialise in telling it as it is from an Arab-American perspective. They kick off the comedy slot on Friday, November 2nd at 22:30KSA with a one off special of their hilarious original comedy tour that has become one of the hottest tickets by blasting stereotypes with outrageous humor.
Comedy fans can tune into Premium Blend from Saturday, November 3rd. The show is a breeding ground for up-and-coming stars. Every Friday and Saturday at 22:30 KSA rising comics take the stage for five minutes each to prove how funny they are. Following on at 23:00 KSA with the laughter is Comedy Central Presents. The show provides every comedy fan's fantasy - a half hour alone with the best stand-ups on the scene. Featuring performances from comics like Patton Oswalt, Brian Posehn, Mike Birbiglia, Lewis Black, Dane Cook and Wanda Sykes, Comedy Central Presents provides season after season of mind-blowing specials that you'll be quoting for years.
Hit show Weeds is back with a potent concoction of comedy and drama returning for its third season as events in the affluent suburb of Agrestic take a turn to the dark side. Funnier, darker and more daring, the acclaimed series reaches a higher ground. Golden Globe winner Mary-Louise Parker stars as Nancy Botwin, the soccer mum who had to learn how to deal with life after the death of her husband. Now, her business is a hit. But keeping up with the neighbours in this suburban utopia isn't easy. She's joined up with a few of her closest friends, and together they're facing life's highs and lows - because even in paradise, nobody's perfect. So gear up for more mind-expanding edgy humour as Weeds rolls back onto our screens from 18th November every Sunday and Monday at 23:00 KSA.
Plus the 16th series of Simpsons, the longest-running comedy series in television history is back on our screens every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 23:00 KSA from the 21st November. Over the years we have come to learn life is never simple when Homer Simpson is involved. 400 episodes in and he's still getting the family into all kinds of scrapes. And we love him for it! Get yourself some doughnuts and settle down to enjoy more great comedy from SHOWCOMEDY exclusively on the SHOWTIME network.
from
http://www.middleeastevents.com/site/pres_dtls.asp?pid=2193
Saturday, October 20, 2007
The ‘Middle Eastern’ Kings of Comedy: Overcoming Evil Stereotypes Through Laughter
October 16, 2007 10:16 AM |
| The ‘Middle Eastern’ Kings of Comedy: Overcoming Evil Stereotypes Through Laughter Photos and Story By Rima Abdelkader Who would have envisioned a comedy group of Middle Eastern descent with a focus on dismantling stereotypes of Middle Easterners to be gaining ground in the United States, post-9/11? While already having been showcased in a one hour special on Comedy Central this year, the “Axis of Evil” comedy troupe is now embarking on their 15-City tour. In less than two years, this group has been featured on CNN, in The Wall Street Journal, Hustler, and in a host of other American popular news media. With sold-out shows throughout the
This time, the “Axis of Evil” is not comprised of Just this past weekend, the “Axis of Evil” comedy group kicked off its tour in
In their comedic sketches, these comics touch on family, politics and ethnicity and use comedy as a medium in bringing together all races and faiths.
Dean, in his sketch at the In his famous note-taking segment, Dean advises his audience on how to make their flight on time, highly recommending that they not use the Arabic phrase, “insha’allah,” (God Willing) before boarding a plane. One benefit to having a Muslim name, Dean tells his audience, “at least you’re immune to identity theft”. (Laughter follows) In another comedic sketch, Maz Jabroni, who has appeared in the movies “The Interpreter” and “Friday After Next” and on ABC’s Knights of Prosperity, provides some pointers for Maz then went on to provide the audience with a helpful hint on how to pronounce the Iranian President’s last name, Ahmadinejad. “Say it with me!” he says, "'I’m going to need a job' with an attitude." (Laughter follows) Maz Jobrani’s presence alone motivated many Iranian-Americans to attend the two Maysoon Zayid, who is the co-Founder of the Arab-American Comedy Festival in New York along with Dean, and who was the only comedienne on stage at their New York gig, poked fun at her life growing up as an Arab-American girl in a strict Arab family with an over-protective father. She referenced her “prom story” as an embarrassing time for her as a teenager. “I went alone and had to sit with the faculty at the faculty table. I was 222 lbs. and had to take a picture with a statue,” an inanimate object who she refers to as her prom date. (Laughter follows) Ahmed Ahmed, who has appeared in popular American films and television shows, Executive Decision, Roseanne, JAG, MTV's PUNK'D and others, entertained the audience with some of his material in between each comedic segment. In one story, he pokes fun at his name which is listed on Ahmed tells his audience, “It’s a bad time and a sad time to be from the Joe DeRosa from Comedy Central's Premium Blend spoke of his “Teen Wolf” experience growing up with an Egyptian father and an American mother. “My father didn’t tell me that I was Egyptian until I was a teenager. He told me, son, your mother was bitten by an Egyptian.” (Laughter follows) Aron Kader who has appeared in the American television cop drama, “The Shield,” as well as on Comedy Central’s Premium Blend, discussed his family’s favorite television show growing up, “The Price is Right”. “In my family,” he says, “it was “The Price is not Right”.” “My father would always challenge the prices on the show. He would say, ‘I could have gotten that golf club for $7!’” Aron also poked fun at U.S. President George W. Bush. “Bush and words (pause) don’t get along.” In his own dramatization of President Bush giving a speech, Aron says, in President Bush’s voice, “If Sunnis and Shias get together, we’ll have sushi. I don’t like sushi, but that’s fine.” (Laughter follows) In discussing President Bush’s Aron Kader also jibed at country singer Alan Jackson for his lyrics from “Where were you (When The World Stopped Turning),” focusing on his lines: “I'm not a real political man. I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you the difference in Reflecting back on the group’s efforts in transforming this troupe idea into a reality, Dean says, “The shows have come a long way over the last few years since it first started with the NAAP Arab comedy show at the NY Comedy Club.” The “Axis of Evil” comedy troupe is starting where Richard Pryor, Bill Cosby, the Kings of Comedy and other notable comedic visionaries had left off, with a more nuanced take on the post 9/11 political landscape in humanizing as well as in educating broad audiences on Middle Easterners. It is comedy with a cause. To learn more about the “Axis of Evil” comedy tour, check out axisofevilcomedy.com. Rima Abdelkader is a NY-based journalist and a graduate of |
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Ashraf Abdel-Baqi: A contemplative comedian
Ashraf Abdel-Baqi: A contemplative comedian
Next time the Iftar conversation stalls, throw in this question: who is Egypt's most respectable comedian? The air will quickly fill with opinion as in all probability a majority of adults -- both women and men -- will align themselves with the upright propriety of Ashraf Abdel-Baqi.
I meet the man in person for the first time in the dramatic light and shade of one of the downstairs classrooms of Cairo's Irish School in Doqqi. It is Ramadan, just after midnight and as far as he is concerned, the night is still young. Abdel-Baqi has the easy smile of a man who is proud of his achievements. He could be very religious one minute and absurdly comical the next.
"The age of romance is over, people want a good laugh," Abdel-Baqi insists. He cuts an imposing, dashing figure -- dark, rugged features and eyes that are simultaneously playful, solemn and intense. However, his charm has less to do with looks than attitude.
Abdel-Baqi has no compunction about impressive stunts and action consequences, no nightmares about failed ventures. A religiously observant comedian seems to some to be a contradiction in terms. Not so for Ashraf Abdel-Baqi.
Jovial camaraderie becomes him. He jests a little, but always returns to serious social concerns. Abdel-Baqi's biting comments contain details that imply an insider's knowledge of the workings of contemporary Egyptian society.
"There are actors who have lost the love and respect of their fans because of the manner in which they lead their private lives."
Soapy overstatement, perhaps?
"On the contrary, being funny and feigning feeble- mindedness are two radically different games."
The fact that he is in his mid-40s only adds to his allure and sex appeal.
"An actor is a public personality, like a politician. Actors have to watch their every word and deed. They are role models, and as such they have a moral responsibility towards their fans. An actor must never let his fans down," he notes.
Abdel-Baqi is never short of chat-up lines. He explains that with the proliferation of pan-Arab satellite television channels there are plenty of opportunities for actors to account for their actions and clarify their positions on a wide variety of social issues. The satellite channels are the perfect means of communication between the actor and his audience.
He is fond of living life on his own terms. He has played many roles on the big screen, overwhelmingly comedy.
In all those roles Abdel-Baqi quietly and radically sought to redraw mind-maps of the Egyptian culture scene. "The controversy surrounding the supposed decadence of actors has been with us since the introduction of the silver screen," Abdel-Baqi explains. There are those in contemporary Egypt who strongly believe that those in the entertainment industry are a corrupting influence on the moral uprightness of the nation. He gives short shrift to those who entertain such opinions.
Religious zealots and conservatives have fought tooth and nail over this particular issue with the liberals and secularists of the entertainment business. The very notion of entertainment has come under fire from militant Islamists. For those in the entertainment industry it is a bread and butter issue: their very livelihoods are at stake. Music, song and dance are not incompatible with religiosity, Abdel-Baqi contends -- nor is acting.
A long moment of locked eyes, and then he speaks to the floor between us, smiling bashfully to himself. "I tend to think some things are off limits," he suggests in hushed tones. There is a little pause.
"I wouldn't want my children to watch certain films, or television programmes for that matter," he shakes his head disapprovingly. "There is such a thing as propriety".
Abdel-Baqi speaks fondly of his family. He has four children -- Ahmed, Hoda, Nour and Zeina. He concedes that he would like to spend more time with them than he actually does at present. Thanks to a flourishing acting career, he has enough disposable income to raise his children in a manner to his liking.
"You can simultaneously be a loving parent and an actor, you know," he chuckles. "I do not think it is any more difficult for an actor to be a good parent than a medical doctor or an engineer. Children must be made to understand at an early age that their father must earn a living, and that he is obliged to spend time away from home to secure a decent standard of living and provide for the family. But, parents should set aside quality time for their children. And actors do not have licence to obtain leave of absence from their family commitments," the tenor of his thoughts obviously matches the tonal register of his statement.
So do any of his children display a latent talent for acting? "I warn them that the choice of acting as a career is a difficult one. I would not wish it on any of my children to become an actor or actress. I hope they choose a profession that is less troublesome than acting," he shrugs his shoulders.
His wife, daughter of the former minister of housing Salah Hassaballah, is a towering figure in his emotional life and the "perfect mother". He has befriended many actresses over the years. His relationship with his female co- workers is restricted to "professional and moral support".
Abdel-Baqi expressed tremendous admiration for the professionalism of stars like Youssra, Laila Elwi and Ilham Shahin. "We are friends, but our friendships are based on work-related concerns," he insists. Then he softens a little. "Terrific actresses," he enthuses.
He speaks gently with graceful humility and the humanity of a man who has lived and learnt, after his own fashion, to let live. While he himself would not cultivate intimate friendships with female actresses, he refrains from condemning those of his colleagues who do. "You have to be true to your own culture. But there is plenty of room for civilised dialogue and the amicable exchange of ideas," he grins.
If he has optimism it is that such dialogue continues even while competing ideologies and conflicting perspectives are squaring up to each other. There lies the rub. The cinema and television are powerful mediums that can advance tolerant debate. The actor is in a powerful position to foster the spirit of tolerance and open-mindedness -- an understanding of the other.
Many of his peers in the entertainment business knock back the whiskeys and know every after-hours club in Cairo. "They have freedom, but no fulfillment," he muses. "Stuck resolutely in denial. Not that I judge them," he adds quickly.
On stage he might be a jester, but in real life he hardly ever leaves the religious imperative behind. He has worked with some of the best directors and scriptwriters of Egypt. And he ranks himself among the "country's best actors". He is especially proud of working closely with Youssra on several landmark movies in his acting career. Hassan wa Aziza: Qadiyat Amn Dawla (1993) with Youssra was a turning point. She was the star, but he carved a significant niche for himself in the film. Again Kalam Al-Leil (Night Talk) with Youssra was another milestone.
His first love, though, was the theatre. " Khashab Al-Ward was the beginning," Abdel-Baqi reminisces. He was introduced to one of his mentors, Hani Mutawe', and of course, the Alexandrian actor Mahmoud Abdel-Aziz. Those were exciting years as far as Abdel-Baqi was concerned; and he relishes the memories of those "struggling years" before he started to star in blockbuster hits.
Cinema, however, was different. Throughout his childhood, he spent many a weekend traipsing round the local picture houses. In the cinema, in front of the camera, he is great. Does one detect some big-screen bias? "No, television and cinema are just different. The actor has to adjust to playing a different role. The theatre, however, is a world apart," he smiles.
In his teens he was a keen cinema goer. The big break came with Ice Cream in Gleem (a suburb of Alexandria). The light-hearted musical was an instant success smashing previous box office records of similar musicals. The 1992 blockbuster was directed by the ingenious Khairy Bishara, the leading role was that of pop star and teen idol Amr Diab. Abdel-Baqi's was relegated to the provision of satirical touches, but his intense energy on the big screen was nothing short of spellbinding. Irony and imagination juxtaposed on pop songs and the pretty faces of the then budding actresses Jihan Fadel and Sabreen proved to be a winning combination. Indeed, Ice Cream in Gleem was replete with nostalgic imagery, intensely focussed on the dreams and melodrama of youth.
In sharp contrast was the 1993 masterpiece Leih ya Banafsig (Why, Violet?) which did not achieve the commercial success of Ice Cream in Gleem, but was highly acclaimed by the critics. Directed by the late Radwan El-Kashef and starring dancer-actress Lucy, Farouq El-Fishawi and Hassan Hosni, Leih ya Banafsig was a sensitive, exquisitely sensual and touching film with vivid, pulsating imagery.
For Abdel-Baqi, of course, acting is a way of life, at least in the sense that it is something he fiercely believes in.
In spite of his resounding success as a film star, nobody can accuse Abdel-Baqi of being a cinematic snob when it comes to television. "Television and the cinema are very different mediums. And the theatre even more so." He claims that with the theatre he is freer to create his own behavioural template.
Then came the real challenge. He got the leading role in the comedy Rasha Gariaa (Bold Splash). "This is the first film that I call mine." It was in his opinion a film that helped redefine Egyptian comedy.
He shakes his head, and lets out a gruff chuckle. Its guiding aesthetic appealed to a diverse cross-section of Egyptians in particular and Arabs more generally.
Ashyak Wad fi Roxy, "The Dandiest Boy in Roxy" (a Heliopolis district), on the other hand, was an abysmal failure. He nods his head in agreement. "That was one of my gravest mistakes," he frowns.
Well-chosen witticisms have been Abdel-Baqi's trademark. Myriad newspaper and magazine interviews and appearances on television have turned him into a celebrity.
Abdel-Baqi played prominent parts in a number of films including Khali min Al-Kolestrol (Cholesterol-Free), written and directed by Mohamed Abu Seif. The film was a frivolous comedy starring veterans Ilham Shahin and Hassan Hosni. Another of Abdel-Baqi's memorable movies was Mowaten Masry, (An Egyptian Citizen), and Saheb Sahbo (His Friend's Friend) in 2002. In the former he acted side by side with Omar Sharif.
After Aris Min Geha Amniya (2004), a comedy by seasoned stars Adel Imam, Lebleba and directed by Ali Idriss, came Romantica (Romance), directed by Mamdouh Abdel-Alim, in which Abdel-Baqi starred alongside Lucy -- another box office hit. There is a separate book to be written about most of these films.
Hobb Al-Banat (The Love of Girls), the 2004 romantic comedy about three half sisters who share a dad, but have three different mothers, is another of his films. Abdel-Baqi plays the part of El-Noshokati, a psychiatrist, who resolves the emotional entanglements of the damsels in distress. Mixed-up emotions, lack of love and a firm family bond ruined their lives. Abdel-Baqi came to the rescue of the three sisters Laila Elwi, Hana Shiha, and Hanan Turk. He knew all too well their medicine -- all they needed was love.
Unencumbered by any such emotional baggage, Abdel-Baqi boasts about the sitcom that has got many viewers glued to their television sets after Iftar: Ragul wa Set Settat. In this particular sitcom, Abdel-Baqi dumps the slapstick and wisecracks on the viewers. "A Man and Six Women" is not exactly a sitcom designed to keep the viewers' brains ticking over during Iftar. The long indolent hours just after Iftar are traditionally inundated with soap operas. Sitcoms are a new phenomenon in the Arab world, fast gaining popularity among Arab viewers.
Needless to say, in terms of realism, though, Abdel-Baqi has the edge. It is not hard to see this sitcom as a grey area where new-age beliefs and traditional costumes blend in with black humour.
There is a world-weary incredulity in the new and hilarious sitcom, as Abdel-Baqi pits one close woman relative against another. The women fight it out, and it is with histrionics. Watching telly in Ramadan has undergone radical change.
Theatrical and fast-paced, there is a whiff of visual histrionics about this particular sitcom, but it is a courageous experiment all the same. No selfish lifestyle for he-women, but lashings of self-indulgence for the man of the moment. Abdel-Baqi managed a smile.
"Sitcoms are an old medium in the West. In the Arab world, however, it is a new phenomenon," he obviously does not wish to be drawn into the prickly question of the battle of the sexes. He explains that sitcoms are a genre of comedy that originated in American radio, but is now confined almost exclusively to television.
So what is Abdel-Baqi up to these days? He is currently shooting a film directed by Said Hamed and Ala Gamb ya Osta (Pull-up Driver). "It is the story of a taxi driver and his adventures. He roams the streets of Cairo in 2007. He picks up someone, and drops them off. He chats with people from all walks of life. He learns about their personal concerns and political orientations," Abdel-Baqi discloses. Like "Man and Six Women", the ritual of masculine enactment is reinforced, albeit with much wit and humour.
photo: Sherif Sonbol
from http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2007/865/profile.htm
Thursday, September 27, 2007
May the farce be with you
Living in a post-Sept. 11 world can be tough when you have Middle Eastern roots, especially if you're part of a comedy tour dubbed the "Axis of Evil."
Try to explain that to airport security.
But Aron Kader, Maz Jobrani and Ahmed Ahmed -the men behind this Middle Eastern-American comic outfit - can laugh with reckless abandon at the trials they've faced. Though it's usually Ahmed that gets the worst of it when he's at the airport.
He shares his name with a terrorist who uses "Ahmed" as one of many aliases, Kader said. It can often lead to mistaken identity.
"Ahmed has this joke that there's some terrorist out there going, 'I'm not this funny comedian!," Kader said in his best Middle Eastern impression by phone from California.
The American-born comics, of the Axis of Evil Comedy Tour, will perform at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center at 7:30 p.m. Friday. Joining the show will be New York comedian Dean Obeidallah.
The humorous bunch said their profession, as well as their lives, changed after the terrorist attack on the nation six years ago - mainly for the better.
Kader, Jobrani and Ahmed were working together in Los Angeles for about eight months in a show called "Arabian Nights" when the attacks occurred. The terrorist event made many Americans distant to those of Middle Eastern descent, so the trio decided to approach stand-up comedy with caution.
"It was kind of a shock," said Kader, of 9/11. "We didn't know what to do on stage. The older comics started talking about it. We just backed off."
When they started performing their routines again, full of Middle Eastern humor, they were surprised at the audience's response.
"It was a whole different reaction - it was like night and day," said Kader, who was raised in Washington, D.C., by his Palestinian father and Mormon mother. "They were curious, interested. They wanted to know where we were coming from, what we thought about it."
For 37-year-old Obeidallah, a former lawyer turned comic, the experience of Sept. 11 helped him embrace his father's heritage.
"I went to bed on Sept. 10 a white guy and woke up Sept. 11 an Arab," the New Jersey native said by phone from New York.
He loves every aspect of his Middle Eastern and Italian background, right down to his name.
"People think it's hard to have a Muslim last name," Obeidallah said. "But I'm immune from identity theft."
Speaking of names, the comic said he was pleased to get a hurricane named after him this year - Hurricane Dean.
"I found myself rooting for the hurricane," he said. "Not that I wanted it to cause destruction, but to compete with my friends if they had a hurricane named after them."
You'll never hear a Middle Eastern name being used to identify a hurricane, especially if the storm was bound to cause havoc and destruction on American shores, Obeidallah said.
"Those kind of things are not going to help (Middle Eastern-Americans)," he joked.
After Sept. 11, Obeidallah found himself defending his heritage through stand-up comedy to those who stereotyped it.
"I just got tired of people talking," said the comedian, who worked with "Axis of Evil" during their "Arabian Nights" days. "It's just wrong. As an American you have a sense of what justice and fairness is. (Sept. 11) really changed my life."
The comics, whose idols include Richard Pryor and Jon Stewart, also share their thoughts on relationships, sports, immigration, social commentary and politics during their performance.
President George W. Bush's antics have been great fodder, they said.
As of last week, the comedy troupe was waiting to hear if the sketch comedy pilot,"The Watch List," was picked up by a television network. The show, which was co-created by Obeidallah and Max Brooks, would be the first of its kind to feature a Middle Eastern-American cast.
"It's something the American public is wanting to see," Kadar believes. "They're ready to laugh with us."
Of course, the Middle East has a long way to go in that respect, but it's slowly getting there, Kadar said.
"They do like comedy but it's not a very show-businessy type of place," he said of the region. "I think that they need to laugh."
What: Axis of Evil Comedy Tour, featuring Aron Kader, Ahmed Ahmed, Maz Jobrani, Dean Obeidallah and others
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, 1010 North W.C. MacInnes Place, Tampa
Tickets: $28.25-$38.25
Information: (813) 229-7827 What: Axis of Evil Comedy Tour featuring Aron Kader, Ahmed Ahmed, Maz Jobrani, Dean Obeidallah and others.
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, 1010 North W.C. MacInnes Place, Tampa
Tickets: $28.25-$38.25
Information: (813) 229-7827
MAY THE FARCE BE WITH YOU
What: "Laughter on the 23rd Floor," Golden Apple Dinner Theatre, through Nov. 18
Why: This quirky show, about a group of comedy writers behind the scenes of a 1950s variety show, sounds too hilarious to pass up. It's a comic farce based on Neil Simon's early career as a TV writer.
January, features writer, loves a quirky cast.
January Holmes
1
"Gem of the Ocean"
This play by August Wilson is the first of a 10-play cycle that chronicles the African-American experience through each decade of the 1900s. Plays through Oct. 7 at American Stage Theatre Company, St. Petersburg; $22-$35
2
"Menopause the Musical"
A hilarious look at "the change" through the eyes of four women at Bloomingdale's, with lyrics set to the tunes of 1960s and '70s rock songs. Plays through Sept. 30 at Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Tampa. Tickets: $39.50
The Herald recommends these stage productions:
LOOKING AHEAD
Here are two shows to look for this season:
1
"Noises Off"
This comedy takes a back stage look at the antics of an old English touring company. Opens Oct. 4 at Manatee Players, Bradenton. Tickets: $11-$23. Information: 748-5875.
2
"Second Time Around"
Lovers over 20 years ago meet again by chance and relive memories both sad and funny. Opens Oct. 11 at Island Players, Anna Maria. Tickets: $15. Information: 778-3755.
from http://www.bradenton.com/entertainment/story/155925.html
