Ascia On Why Acting Was A Natural Next Step in Her Career
The social media sensation-turned-actress has officially made her on-screen debut in the new Netflix film, set to premiere on April 30
As the global spotlight shines brighter on GCC cinema and regional films garner international acclaim, Elie El Semaan’s Honeymoonish offers a fresh and captivating perspective on love, laughter, and the intricacies of relationships in the modern Arab world.
Despite its light-hearted rom-com roots, the Kuwaiti production dives into themes of cultural identity, family ties, and the pursuit of happiness, adding depth and resonance that transcend borders and captivate audiences worldwide.
The film is set to be released on Netflix and features a number of big names from the industry, including Egyptian actress Nour AlGhandour and Ascia Al Faraj, who’s known to be one of Kuwait’s most popular influencers, and fellow actor Mahmoud Boushahri.
Ascia has been long aspiring to get into cinema, and like most debutants, the process came with challenges, memories, and an overall experience that has left the model-cum-actress only wanting to continue pursuing her passion for the craft.
Bazaar Arabia spoke to Ascia, who shared everything that brought the movie to life, from hilarious anecdotes to how she prepped for her character.
Harper’s Bazaar Arabia (HBA): It’s very exciting that you’re making your acting debut with Honeymoonish. How was it being on the big screen?
Ascia Al Faraj (AA): I was really lucky with my career in terms of the kinds of sets that I’ve been able to experience. I’ve not only done photography, I’ve done a lot of work in video. By the time this came around, which was unexpected for me, I think it was a good, comfortable enough experience, and I just kind of let loose into it.
HBA: Did you always want to get into acting?
AA: I don’t think that I’ve ever told a story without putting on at least three voices and four characters in it. I always thought that I was going to move into acting at some point. I’d been offered a couple of roles here and there throughout my career, but I kept telling myself that I was not going to take it until it was a Netflix thing. And I did it as a joke and then it happened.
HBA: Your character Amal was such an emotional support to Noor in the movie, she always spoke her mind and also gave advice. Is this something that resonates with you in real life?
AA: I’m like a little bit of an emotional tornado sometimes; I wanted to think about the things that I needed from a friend when I’m going through something similar. So that’s what I tried to put into my character, Amal.
HBA: What was the most challenging thing about playing Amal?
AA: Arabic’s my second language, so I was incredibly nervous doing something that is fully in a language that I don’t always feel the most comfortable being able to express myself in. Also, the fact that I’ve never really acted before was the biggest hurdle for me to overcome. It wasn’t necessarily character prep but it was just getting out of my own head.
HBA: Out of your whole experience, what was the most memorable part of it?
AA: My character had children and I have children in real life, so I’m usually pretty good with kids. I don’t have girls, I have boys, so little girls to me are like little aliens. There was a scene where the little girl has to pull my hair and this four-year-old was like “Bet you want me to pull your hair? I will pull your hair” and she ripped out so much of it by the end of it and I couldn’t blame her – she was doing exactly what was asked.
HBA: Is acting something you plan on continuing to do?
AA: I might be a little bit addicted to it now, because, in your real life, you can’t really just emote the way that you constantly want to. You’re trying to be very self-aware, kind, and patient. It’s nice to be able to get on camera… remember that time you wanted to explode and be really angry – now you can do it.
HBA: Will we be then seeing you in any exciting upcoming projects?
AA: I just wrapped up filming a new eight-episode show. It is a scary thriller coming out soon and it’s very different from Honeymoonish.
Lead image supplied