Eyad Hourani, graduate of The Freedom Theatre’s Acting School, stars in the film Omar, a powerful political thriller interwoven with a tragic love story set against the backdrop of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. The titular Omar is a thoughtful young baker in love with Nadia. When he agrees to go with Nadia’s brother Tarek (Eyad Hourani), a senior militant, and their mutual friend Amjad on a mission to kill an Israeli soldier, it is partly to gain Tarek’s respect so that he can ask for Nadia’s hand in marriage. But that act of violence soon spirals out of control: Omar is arrested and tortured by Israeli forces, who attempt to turn him into a collaborator. Abu-Assad uses this tense set-up to fashion an ingenious twist on Othello that packs an unforgettable sting in the tail.
Omar is directed by Hany Abu-Assad, known for the 2005 award-winning film “Paradise Now”. Omar broke new ground as the first film fully funded by individual Palestinians and Palestinian businesses. It was screened in the Un Certain Regard section at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival where it received a standing ovation and won the Jury Prize.
Eyad Hourani acted in several productions during his time as an Acting School student, such as While Waiting, Animal Farm, Fragments of Palestine and Alice in Wonderland. He graduated from the Acting School in 2011 and has since appeared in Ashtar Theatre’s Jasmin House, as well as in the Shakespeare drama Richard II which toured to London’s Globe Theatre Festival. Eyad has also directed and acted in a wide-acclaimed short film, C the C.
