Norman Issa
Norman Issa (Arabic: نورمان عيسى, Hebrew: נורמן עיסא; born 17 June 1967) is an Arab-Israeli actor, active in cinema, theatre and television.[1] His parents, who are Maronite Christians, are from the village of Kafr Bir'im.
Norman Issa | |
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Norman Issa in April 2012 | |
Born | |
Occupation | Actor |
Years active | 1998–present |
Spouse(s) | Gidona Raz |
Career
He studied at Beit Zvi and has acted in many plays by William Shakespeare at the Haifa Theatre and Cameri Theatre. He worked at The Arab-Hebrew Theater together with fellow Israeli-Arab actor Yousef Sweid.
He started to become famous as the main protagonist of the Israeli sitcom Arab Labor, created by Israeli-Arab journalist Sayed Kashua.[2]
Personal life
He is married to Jewish-Israeli playwright Gidona Raz, and has three sons. The couple jointly founded the Elmina Theater in Jaffa.[3] They reside in Jaffa.
Controversies
In 2015, Issa refused to perform in a settlement in the Jordan Valley, causing the Minister of Culture Miri Regev to threaten to shut down the Elmina Theater.[4][5]
Filmography
- The Syrian Bride (2004), directed by Eran Riklis
- Arab Labor (2007–present), created by Sayed Kashua
- Ana Arabia (2013), directed by Amos Gitai
- A Borrowed Identity (2014), directed by Eran Riklis
- The 90 Minute War (2016), directed by Eyal Halfon
Awards
At the 2016 Haifa International Film Festival, Norman Issa and Moshe Ivgy were awarded the prize for Best Actor in a Feature Film, for The 90 Minute War.[6]
References
- "Fiche de Thousand and one nights". Archived from the original on 14 November 2012. Retrieved 20 July 2012.
- Shani, Ayelett (2013-08-01). "Playing Sayed Kashua: Actor Norman Issa Feels Like the Third Brother of Arabs and Jews". Haaretz. Retrieved 2016-01-28.
- https://www.mouse.co.il/shows/articles/1.3417076
- "Arab Israeli actor Norman Issa refuses to cross the Green Line". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. Retrieved 2016-01-28.
- Levy, Gideon (2015-06-11). "The Jewish State Has No More Room for 'Good Arabs'". Haaretz. Retrieved 2016-01-28.
- "The award winners- Haifa International Film Festival 2016". Haifa International Film Festival. Archived from the original on 8 November 2016. Retrieved 7 November 2016.