Norman Issa (Arabic: نورمان عيسى, Hebrew: נורמן עיסא; born 17 June 1967) is an Arab-Israeli actor, director in cinema, theatre and television.
Norman Issa | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 17 June 1967 Haifa, Israel |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1998–present |
| Spouse | Gidona Raz |
| Children | 3, including Lear Issa, Shon Issa |
Biography
editNorman Issa was born and raised in Haifa, Israel, to a Maronite Christian-Arab family. He studied acting at Beit Zvi. He is married to Jewish-Israeli playwright Gidona Raz, with whom he has three sons. Lear and Sean Issa are actors. The couple jointly founded the multicultural Elmina Theater in Jaffa, Israel.[1] They reside in Jaffa.
Theater, television and film career
editIssa 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 Arab-Israeli actor Yousef "Joe" Sweid. He was the main protagonist of the Israeli television sitcom Arab Labor, created by Arab-Israeli journalist Sayed Kashua.[2]
In 2015, Issa refused to perform in a settlement in the Jordan Valley. In response, Israeli Minister of Culture Miri Regev threatened to shut down Israeli government funding to the theater that Issa founded.[3][4]
Awards and recognition
editAt 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.[5]
Filmography
edit- 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
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ https://www.mouse.co.il/shows/articles/1.3417076
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Arab Israeli actor Norman Issa refuses to cross the Green Line". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. 9 June 2015. 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.