Palestinian actor Adam Bakri captured widespread attention during his appearances at the Cairo International Film Festival, speaking with striking honesty about his artistic journey, his relationship with identity, his work in Hollywood, and the shifting global awareness surrounding the Palestinian cause.
Bakri revealed that one of the most challenging moments in his early international career was filming alongside Keira Knightley in the movie Official Secrets. He admitted he felt intensely nervous because he had admired her for years, noting that her professionalism pushed him to elevate his own performance.
Although he portrayed a Muslim terrorist in the film, Bakri explained that the power of the story and the strength of the cast made it difficult to decline the role, but he eventually learned to step away from such portrayals.
He added that he does not judge actors who take similar roles when seeking opportunities in Hollywood, but that the success of the film Omar helped him understand the kind of work he wanted to pursue and avoid.
Bakri also spoke about a character he has been developing for years, named “Hai,” which emerged from a difficult period in his life.
The character represents a new beginning, and he continues to refine it, drawing inspiration from his own lived experiences rather than formal artistic training.
Literature remains a major source of influence for him; he described his fascination with the worlds created by Japanese author Haruki Murakami, whose writing style he finds deeply human. Bakri also shared that learning chess recently transformed his approach to patience and problem-solving.
When discussing spirituality, Bakri said he does not label himself as a Sufi, though he has learned profoundly from Sufi philosophy.
He recalled meeting a group that believed every person has specific Quranic verses carrying unique messages, which can only be uncovered through continuous reading.
For him, the concept of “home” is not a physical location but a feeling of peace and belonging.
Reflecting on recent global events, Bakri emphasized that Gaza has reshaped the world’s consciousness, generating new levels of empathy and understanding toward the Palestinian struggle.
He explained that this shift contributed to the involvement of prominent Hollywood figures Mark Ruffalo and Javier Bardem, who are producing his upcoming film All That’s Left.
The movie will represent Jordan at the Oscars this year and holds special significance for Bakri, as it tells the story of a Palestinian family across three generations and stars his father Mohammad Bakri and his brother Saleh Bakri.
In another conversation at the festival, Bakri opened up about the artistic stagnation he faced after the international success of Omar.
He said he was not psychologically prepared for sudden fame at such a young age, and the pressure left him in a long period of creative paralysis.
Despite the challenges, he expressed deep gratitude for the experience because it pushed him to better understand his goals.
Bakri noted that such personal struggles are insignificant compared to what Palestinians endure today, urging young people to know themselves fully before embarking on any path.
He also revealed that his long absence from Arab cinema after Omar was due to his former agent, who tried to distance him from his Arab identity and dismissed the value of regional projects.
His role in the series Gate of Hell happened by coincidence after a call from his father, and the project became a turning point, not only because of its demanding action scenes, but also because it introduced him to his wife, Cynthia, and eventually led him to relocate to Dubai.
Although he prefers living in New York, he said that home is ultimately defined by the people around him, and being in the Arab world helped him reconnect with a sense of belonging.
Bakri expressed his admiration for Egypt, describing his first visit to Cairo as surreal, as though he were walking through a film scene.
He said he plans to explore more of the country, including the pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum.
He also revealed that he is currently filming his first Egyptian series, set to air during Ramadan, and expressed great excitement about joining the Egyptian drama landscape, which he believes holds tremendous influence across the Arab world.
The actor reflected on being born on the anniversary of the Nakba, a fact that deeply shaped his awareness and connection to his roots.
Growing up in Jaffa and in a highly artistic household created both inspiration and pressure. He recalled freezing on stage during his first theatrical performance in New York, with his father watching from the front row.
His father later told him that he needed to return to the stage the next day or go back home to Palestine, a moment that ultimately fueled his determination to continue acting.
Throughout his discussions, Bakri emphasized the importance of identity, cultural responsibility, and artistic integrity, describing how his journey across Arab and international cinema continues to evolve.
He highlighted the power of art in expressing human stories, particularly those connected to the Palestinian experience, and expressed his commitment to choosing roles that reflect his truth while expanding his creative horizons.
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