Film director's search for a male star

One of the most prolific Emirati filmmakers is looking for an actor to play the lead role in his latest film.

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ABU DHABI // One of the most prolific Emirati filmmakers is looking for an actor to play the lead role in his latest film.

Nawaf al Janahi, whose feature film Sea Shadow was the first by the Abu Dhabi production house Imagenation to be shot in the UAE by an Emirati director, will begin shooting his new short film, The Room, at the end of the month.

Over the next two weekends he will be holding open casting calls for the main male part.

He is searching for a man in his early 50s with a slim body and a sharp-edged face.

"It is quite a specific search," said Mr al Janahi, 33. "I have an image in my head of the looks of person I want to play the role.

"Of course in the end when I choose the person it will be down to talent, but it's open to everyone so I'm confident we will find the right guy."

The screenplay for The Room was written by Mamdouh Rizq, an Egyptian author. It features only one character, a lonely old man, and the story is about death.

Mr al Janahi said the author contacted him a couple of years ago with his idea for the script but it is only now that the pair have united.

Casting calls will take place in Dubai on the next two Saturdays and filming will begin at the end of the month in an undisclosed location in the UAE.