Zayn Alexandre (aka Zayn Alexander) is a Lebanese American film director and actor based in New York City.[1] He is known for his work on the short films Abroad and Manara.
Zayn Alexandre | |
|---|---|
 Zayn Alexandre at the 2018 Santa Barbara International Film Festival | |
| Born | |
| Alma mater | |
| Occupation(s) | Director, Actor |
| Years active | 2012 - present |
Early life
editZayn was born and raised in Lebanon.[2] Zayn studied psychology at the American University of Beirut and left for the United States to pursue acting in 2010.[3]
Career
editIn New York City, Zayn met fellow actor, Pascale Seigneurie, who would soon become a frequent collaborator.[3] The two paired up to create Abroad, a film about a Lebanese couple pursuing their acting dreams in America and struggling with being typecast in Middle Eastern roles. Seigneurie wrote the short film, Zayn directed.[4] The film was shot in one day.[5] It debuted at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival in 2018.[6][7][8] The Moise A. Khayrallah Center has awarded Zayn and Abroad The 2020 Khayrallah Art Prize.[9][10]
In 2019, and Seigneurie followed up with Manara, a short film about a Lebanese funeral and a family coping with the cultural pressures of Lebanese society.[3] Manara was filmed in Tyre, Lebanon.[11] It debuted during the 76th Venice International Film Festival in September 2019.[3]
A new short film titled Saint Rose is set to be released in 2024,[12] which has been selected to compete in the Shorts Competition at the Red Sea International Film Festival.[13] The film continues Alexandre's exploration of cultural and societal themes, telling the story of a woman striving to escape a stifling marriage imposed by a conservative society.[14]
Filmography
edit| Year | Film | Actor | Role | Writer | Director | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Abroad | 
|
Jad |
|
Short film | |
| 2019 | Manara |
|
Rami |
|
Short film | |
| 2024 | Saint Rose[15] |
|
|
Short film |
References
edit- ^ "Zayn Alexander, comédien et metteur en scène libanais à New York". L'Orient-Le Jour. 25 September 2018. Retrieved 10 January 2020.
- ^ Khalaf, Colette (11 July 2019). "Zayn Alexander, loin mais si proche du Liban". Lorient Le Jour. Retrieved 10 January 2020.
- ^ a b c d Mottram, James (24 October 2019). "'Manara' sheds light on problems in Lebanese culture". The National. Retrieved 10 January 2020.
- ^ Rached, Nayla (14 September 2018). "'ABROAD' DE ZAYN ALEXANDER : UNE QUESTION DE CHOIX". Agenda Culturel. Retrieved 10 January 2020.
- ^ "A Middle-Eastern Actor Couple Try to Navigate the Pressures of Relationships, Family & Typecasting in 'Abroad'". Directors Notes. 7 August 2018. Retrieved 10 January 2020.
- ^ Hixon, Michael (9 February 2018). "Santa Barbara International Film Festival celebrates stars and independent filmmakers". The Beach Reporter. Retrieved 10 January 2020.
- ^ Hipes, Patrick (17 January 2018). "Santa Barbara Film Festival Lineup Unveiled". Deadline. Retrieved 10 January 2020.
- ^ Marotta, Jenna (17 January 2018). "Santa Barbara Film Festival Announces 2018 Slate, Will Open with Emilio Estevez's 'the public'". IndieWire. Retrieved 10 January 2020.
- ^ "Two winners announced as US university celebrates Arab art with Khayrallah Prize". Arab News. 2021-03-03. Retrieved 2021-03-05.
- ^ "Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies - NC State". lebanesestudies.ncsu.edu. Archived from the original on 2023-01-09. Retrieved 2021-03-05.
- ^ Codrai, Lorna (26 February 2020). "Manara: Highlights Lebanon's Increasing Mental Health Crisis". Film Inquiry. Retrieved 28 February 2020.
- ^ "Fragments of Life, Saint Rose & more: The Red Sea International Film Festival announces shorts for 2024 edition". Firstpost. 2024-10-22. Retrieved 2024-10-22.
- ^ "Red Sea International Film Festival Shows 2024 Lineup for Arab Shorts". SecneNow. Retrieved 2024-10-22.
- ^ Kotzathanasis, Panos (2024-10-19). "The Red Sea International Film Festival Announces Shorts For 2024 Edition". Asian Movie Pulse. Retrieved 2024-10-22.
- ^ Alexandre, Zayn, Saint Rose (Short, Drama), Ghada Basma, Sharon Chepkwemoi Watoka, ZMA Entertainment
External links
edit- Zayn Alexandre Official website
- Zayn Alexandre at IMDb