Film

"Caravan Festival of the Arts"
Harmony: East and West

Omar Sharif

On 1 February 2010, the legendary Egyptian actor Omar Sharif gave a talk on interfaith relations, followed by a screening of his interfaith film Hasan and Morqos (in which he stars together with actor Adel Emam).

Omar Sharif was born in Alexandria and at the age of 21, in 1953, after studying mathematics and physics at Cairo University, he began his acting career in Egyptian film, going on to star in many well-known productions. His first English language film was Lawrence of Arabia in 1962, earning him the Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination, a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor…and of course global recognition as the world’s leading Arab actor. He went on to play the title role in that great 1965 film, Doctor Zhivago. He has starred in countless other films, too numerous to name, over the last 45 years including the celebrated 2003 film, Monsieur Ibrahim et les fleurs du Coran…where he plays a Muslim Turkish merchant in Paris who becomes the father figure for a Jewish boy.Mr. Sharif has been given numerous honors, such a three Golden Globe Awards, and a medal by UNESCO for his contribution to world film and cultural diversity.

And very relevant to the festival, Omar Sharif represents more than anyone else someone who is globally recognized as proactively using the Arts to build bridges between the East and West. His recent film, Hassan and Morqos, (shown at the CARAVAN Festival), released in 2008, addresses issues of religious extremism, intolerance and sectarian violence, and emphasizes the possibility of friendship and love between members of different religions. And apropos to the purpose of this CARAVAN Festival of the Arts, are the words of Mr. Sharif’s co-star in the film, Adel Imam: “I have declared war using art against extremists---against those who foment difference between us. I hope Christians and Muslims will leave the cinema and embrace one another.”