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‘SYRIAN SERIALS HAVE STRONG DIALOGUES’

Syrian actor Abbas Al Newery tells City Times that while Egyptian serials have the advantage of better directors and distribution, Syrian serials score in the dialogue department.

How has your childhood affected your life?

I did not have an easy childhood. I was not born with a silver spoon in my mouth. I was a quarrelsome boy especially with my other 10 brothers. I still remember that life was a struggle for my family and that has helped me mature as a person and a performer.

Are you a romantic at heart?

I am very sensitive at heart. I am a loving father to my three children. My wife tells me that ‘I have three children and the fourth one is you’.

You were very close to your grandfather.

He was a great man. He has played a very important role in my life. It is from him that I learnt the meaning of life. He is the one who taught me to love life and be self-reliant. In fact I owe my love for cinema to him.

What are your hobbies?

I like reading, and reading about histroy especially Syrian history. That's also got to do with the fact that I have a Ph.D in the subject. I love reading articles by Gehad Makazen.

Take us back to the time when you took the first step into acting.

When I was in school. I used to take part in plays and that passion continued even in college. But my first break on Syrian TV was for the Arabic serial ‘The Brown’.

But you seem to have played similar kind of roles in serials. Don't you think you need to experiment with roles?

I don't like repeating myself, but I do so if the role is interesting.

Do you regret having played some roles?

I don't regret anything in life.

What's the latest on your professional front?

I am currently preparing for my new political programme and am also thinking about making the second part of the Syrian serial ‘Righteous nights’.

What is your philosophy in life?

To love life and to stay away from people who lie.

How do you view the competition between Egyptian and Syrian serials?

Both have their own strengths and both are equally beautiful. While Egyptian serials have the advantage of better direction and distribution, Syrian serials are strong in the dialogue department.