DETROIT — Director Sam Kadi and Egyptian Actor Khaled Nabawy have been hard at work since late May shooting their new film “The Citizen” in downtown Detroit, which wrapped production this week.  The film tells the story of a male Arab immigrant who wins the green card lottery and arrives in the U.S one day before 9/11. 

The male immigrant, played by Nabawy, is portrayed as a well rounded character who is on a journey to survive struggles and challenges during a difficult time period for immigrants in the U.S. 

Kadi, who was interested in casting Nabawy in the lead role, flew to Egypt to meet with the actor in person. Nabawy strongly believed in the vision Kadi was trying to pursue in the film and quickly agreed to participate. Both strongly believe that this film touches basis on new territory that is hardly depicted in Hollywood.  

“This movie is a great representation not only for Arabs but for any immigrant or minority group that shares a love for this country,” said Kadi. “It’s a story about a man on a journey trying to achieve the American dream and having to face all these challenges that come his way,” he added.

With the history of negative portrayals of Muslims and Arabs in the media and in Hollywood, both Kadi and Nabawy have approached this movie rejecting that route. 

 “It’s not only Arabs that get this negative stereotype. Italians are always portrayed as mobs, African Americans are always portrayed as gangsters, and then you have the Arab terrorist stereotype,” he added. “It was very important to me that we finally show a real character with heart and charm.” 

Nabawy says that he refuses to star in any film that would focus on such stereotypes.   

“I make sure every film I do portrays Arabs in a positive light,” says Nabawy. “I hate this stereotype that is portrayed about Arabs. We should not be looked at as terrorists, but rather as revolutionary, well-educated people,” he added.

Nabawy himself is no stranger to revolutions. He was deeply involved with the Egyptian revolution from earlier this year, becoming a big advocator in the media. He even protested in the streets on many different occasions, showing his true passion towards the cause. 

“He is authentic and such an inspiration, not just in the Middle East, but on an international level,” said Kadi, about the star of his film. “I did not want an Arab from the U.S playing this role. I wanted someone who is actually foreign to this country because this character feels so real and genuine to me,” he added. 

Despite starting off as an actor in Egypt, Nabawy actually has quite an impressive resume in Hollywood already, with major roles in movies like “Kingdom of Heaven,” and “Fair Game,” where he co-starred along with Sean Penn, with whom he has developed a great friendship. 

When asked about his experience in Hollywood as an Arab, Nabawy was quick to debunk any negative treatment one might presume would take place.

“They have all been nice to me. Not once did I feel like a stranger at all,” he stated. “I do not like to look at it as if I’m an Arab and I need to be worried. The truth is, no matter what race or religion you are, you have to work very hard for it to pay off,” he added. 

Nabawy has certainly come a long way from his earlier days in Egypt, where he originally went to school studying agriculture. It wasn’t until one day when he accidentally stumbled into a theater program at his school when he realized he could have a passion in acting. He quickly changed his major and transferred to the Academy of Arts in Cairo. 

After doing theater, Nabawy finally got his big break in 1994, starring in “The Emigrant” directed by Youssef Chahine. He has since remained a high profile actor in the Middle East, starring in a string of films. 

“Acting is not as easy as it looks,” stated Nabawy. “You need to put yourself aside and jump into a new character and hope that audiences can relate to the work you did,” he added. 

Sam Kadi meanwhile hopes that audiences can interpret his film “The Citizen” in their own way.

“I want people to come up with their own conclusions about this film,” Kadi stated. “That’s the beauty of being a filmmaker. Sometimes people will see things in a completely different light than what you expected,” he added.

Kadi has always been interested in filmmaking and storytelling. He originally started off as a theatrical actor in Syria before moving to the U.S to get his degree in filmmaking. From there, he started directing both plays and short films, eventually getting recognized for his short film “Raised Alone,” which won eight awards including a win for “Best Short Film” at the New York International Independent Film and Video Festival. 

Kadi began working on the story of the movie three years ago and last year brough in Samir Younis, a New York actor and playwright, to help with a rewrite. 

Despite doing a few days of exterior shots in New York City (where the film takes place), the majority of the shoot took place at the Masonic Temple in Downtown Detroit, where over 12 interior sets were built for the film.

“It was important for me to shoot this film in Michigan. This is where my home is and I intend to keep all my productions here,” Kadi stated. 

Nabawy was also excited to be in Michigan, which was unusual for him as “Kingdom of Heaven” was mostly shot in Morocco and “Fair Game” was mostly shot in Egypt and New York City.  

“This was my first time here and it’s been wonderful,” he stated. “People tried to warn me about Michigan but it’s been the complete opposite here. I love the people, the food and also there is hardly any traffic,” he joked. 

Nabawy won’t be the only recognized actor starring in “The Citizen;” the film also stars Cary Elwes (Saw, The Princess Bride), William Atherton (Ghostbusters, Die Hard) and Rizwan Manji (Transformers, Outsourced).

“We have an all around great cast and it’s been nothing but a blessing,” Kadi stated. “I hope it opens doors for Arabs and Middle Eastern actors to do more in Hollywood and play a lead role. This is a golden opportunity,” he added.

“The Citizen” is expected to be released in early 2012.