Lebanese actor Samer Al-Gharib In an interview with ‘Arabstoday’, the Lebanese actor Samer Al-Gharib said that “no one can deny that the internet is the main tool that helped the breakout of revolutions in the Arab world” . Al-Gharib also said: “An actor should be an example to follow in ethics and sportsmanship”.
He added that he does not seek to be a star, “but to be a star in the role I am performing. I don’t look for the role that will launch me in the spotlight, but for the role that interests me enough so that I can enhance it”. He denied that friendships and connections helped him in his work, and he stated "I am used to hard work, and this gave me wide experience in the field."
“When an actor decides to perform in TV, he should fully devote himself to it," he added.
AT: What is your current work?
SG: After several experiences in establishing media institutions, some administrative matters took me away from acting.
AT: Aren’t you worried that script writers and producers might forget your name?
SG: Although some ask me to participate in TV works, I apologise. I recently returned to the cinema; it's easier. If an actor decided to perform in TV works, he should fully devote himself to it.
AT: You appeared recently in two movies, why have you been selected? Did friendship help you in this?
SG: Friendship played no role in selecting me for those films. It was rather luck which worked in my favour, as I had the right characteristics to play the roles.
AT: Which roles do you usually turn down?
SG: I do not accept taking me or my talent lightly. Accepting roles comes among conditions that suit me, that add to the work and to me as well.
At: To what extent acting as a profession burdens the actor?
SG: I admit it is a very difficult profession in our country. It is supposed to be an enjoyable career, as is the case in Europe and USA, despite the mental and physical fatigue actors suffer during the shooting.
AT: How do you live with acting as your main profession?
SG: I believe that an actor should be an example to follow in ethics and sportsmanship, a role model with a certain message to send out to people through his work. This message should be a reflection of his psyche, thoughts and inclinations.
AT: What are your conditions to accept a role?
SG: I wouldn’t call them conditions; what I require is rather the suitable atmosphere, the atmosphere that would offer me comfort to perform my role, as this has a significant effect on performance.
AT: Do you always seek main characters’ roles?
SG: No, not necessarily. On the contrary, I may accept a secondary role. I honestly say I am convinced from the beginning not to seek to be a star, not to look for the role that would highlight me. I look for the role that pushes me to highlight it.