Good news on the situation in the Middle East – well, at least as far as Hollywood representation is concerned. Deadline Hollywood reports that “Middle Eastern actors are breaking through the stereotypes they have long experienced and are being cast in more substantial roles.” The industry trade interviews Iranian actress Shohreh Aghdashloo known for her thought-provoking roles in the film “House of Sand and Fog,” and the television series “24” and “The Expanse” (which is currently on the SyFy channel).
Ms. Aghdashloo remarks that just in the last few years, there has been a surge in the kind of roles her and her Middle Eastern colleagues are now being offered – many are finding roles with characters that have more depth and diversity, even a trend for more non-terrorist characters!
“Art reflects life and life reflects art,” says Ms. Aghdashloo. “Hollywood has changed tremendously over the years but it took a long time to change. At the time that I was cast in House Of Sand And Fog, American society was just evolving into a more cosmopolitan society and Hollywood was trying to adapt itself where it could.”
“If we want change, we have to change it ourselves,” continues the actress. “We must change the wrong situation into the right situation and do it the right way. Not nagging, not complaining, not overthinking, not casting a shadow, not blaming people for what they don’t know because they don’t know any better.”
