Taim Hasan: I dreamt of playing Nizar Qabbani and King Farouk

During the Islamic month of Ramadan, which coincided with September-October 2007, Arab audiences were gripped to their TV screens, watching the historical drama production, “King Farouk.” The life of the controversial last king of Egypt, his overthrow by the Free Officers in 1952, the majestic costumes, the palaces, the plot, and the grand work of the director Hatem Ali all contributed to making “King Farouk” a thundering success. One of the main reasons why “King Farouk” was so popular—and hauntingly realistic—was the memorable performance of its young star, Taim Hasan. Taim, who made it to fame at the turn of the 21st century, had already performed as Syria’s late poet Nizar Qabbani in 2005. He is now among the top ranked actors throughout the Arab World. Enigmatic, handsome, and highly talented, he played the role of Farouk, giving it so much passion to an extent where the image of Taim Hasan and King Farouk have become interchangeable in the minds of Arab viewers worldwide. Acting was never his primary goal, he said, having originally studied law in Syria. Fate, however, brought him to the Higher Academy of Theatrical Arts, where he studied for four years, and started his career in Syrian TV dramas. He does not think of directing at the present, he said, preferring to concentrate on good roles, and has not yet ventured into cinema. When speaking to FORWARD, the 32-year old star came across as a very polite, humble, and ordinary person—very different, in this sense, from the Egyptian King he played on screen. Let us start with “King Farouk.” The role of the last king of Egypt was certainly challenging and aroused a lot of controversy—and admiration—in the Arab World. How were you nominated to play the Egyptian monarch? The director is usually the one who chooses the actors and I was nominated for this role by Hatem Ali. We had worked together before and shared numerous successes; that is why he came to me.

Farouk was a normal person just like any other. He loved his family, wife and children. He was a nice man. We are similar in that we both try to avoid problems and the limelight.

The political issues during Farouk’s reign are known through different books, but how were you able to get information about his personal life inside the palace? There are many contradicting

stories about the public and private life of King Farouk, and a lot of deliberate distortion was done to his image after the Revolution of 1952. Did you have the chance to meet any members of his family?

His family is dispersed—most of them live in Europe. We faced many obstacles when trying to contact them, so the only solution was to rely on different texts, in full-detail. Sometimes we had to make small changes on our own. I also watched many documentaries about Farouk and listened to audio recordings of his speeches.

What did Farouk add to Taim Hasan, both on an artistic and personal level?

The work got many rewards and distinctions. I was satisfied with my role in it, both as a person and as an actor. The success was not only for Taim; it was for the entire team that worked on “King Farouk.”

Many Syrian actors and actresses have recently been performing in Egyptian productions. Do you think that because of the high acclaim, your experience was different? When I worked in “King Farouk” I was not looking for an Egyptian work. I was after a good script and a good team (director and production company), regardless if they were Syrian or Egyptian. Any actor/actress who cares about his/her work will chose a script based on its quality regardless of nationality. For that, I do think that my experience was distinctive, along with that of the entire team.

Has the success of working with Hatem Ali created a permanent artistic duo that we are expected to see in upcoming productions?

The relationship between actor and director is based on mutual benefit. A good actor guarantees outcome for a good director, and vice-versa. Hatem Ali and I succeeded together and that is why I feel our relation has become more than an actor-director relationship.

Let us speak a little about the controversial series “Nizar Qabbani.” It received mixed reviews. Some saw it as a work of art. Others claimed that it tarnished Nizar’s image. First let me ask; did you serve Nizar by depicting him in a TV drama, or did Nizar Qabbani serve Taim al-Hasan?

Again, the benefits were mutual. A name like Nizar—with so much history, magnitude, and reputation— adds so much to the entire team. Speaking for myself, I think the characterization of Nizar was well-received. I enjoyed the experience— and changing my appearance was important to bridge the gap between the character and myself. Let us take Nizar’s smoking, for example. I heard a lot of comments about too much smoking on screen, but that was a reality. Nizar was like that and we had to depict him like that to portray a realistic image of the man. Unfortunately, that got me to return to smoking, after having quit for more than a year!

Nizar Qabbani is known as an impassioned womanizer and the “poet of love.” The television series “Nizar Qabbani” was criticized for over-emphasizing his lust for women. Do you think that you presented him in the right image?

I do not think that we presented Nizar in a bad way.

Where the ‘good looks’ any help?

Good looks are a plus in any job. They cannot be separated from substance, however, but some people who are envious evaluate me only on “good looks.” They say that Taim has only succeeded because of his ‘good looks.’ I think an artist has to use his tools of expression and what is inside of him/her to present any character— regardless of the external image.

You have played many historical

figures and performed in modern dramas as well. Where do you find yourself most?

There are always concerns for an actor who succeeds in modern dramas. He asks himself if he will equally succeed in historical works? Actually its not about the different kinds of works, but the different kinds of characters. Any character— modern or historical—that is worked upon by an actor, who adds to it and develops it, will succeed.

Among all the character you represented, which one was closest to Taim Hasan?

Every character was unique in its own special way. What I remember is that each one of them required a tremendous amount of hard work.

What is the character you would like to perform in the future?

I no longer have a specific character I would like to play. When I was a student, I dreamt of playing King Farouk, Nizar Qabbani, and al-Mansour Ibn Amer. Thank God, I have had the chance to play all three of them. They searched for me although I had dreamt of playing them.

Do you have many friends in the artistic community.

I have a few friends from the artistic community and many from outside; I am very content.

What is your new project?

We working now on a new Bedouin series called Ayyam al-Tha’er (Days of Revenge), directed by Hatem Ali and written by Hani al-Saadi. There are also several other projects in Egypt.

What is your wish for 2008?

I wish to have a break for six months and travel with my family without any artistic commitments.

You have a baby child named Ward. If he were to come to you one day, saying that he wanted to become an actor, how would you react?

I would hope that going into the acting business would be his third or fourth option. This profession comes with a lot of fatigue—its more tiresome than rewarding. But at the end of the day, the decision would be his, not mine.

Who would you like to thank; who deserves the big “thank you?”

My mother and father—for sure.

Any last words for FW:?

Thank you very much; wishing you the best of luck and a great future.