It was a huge leap of faith for American actor Reem Kadem to come to Kerala and play the lead in the bilingual Nawal the Jewel made in Malayalam and English. The film won her international recognition at various film festivals around the world. The icing on the cake was certainly her recent win as the Best Lead Actress in a festival at Amsterdam. She terms it as an accomplishment since it was her first official nomination and win as an actress.
She gushes, “The film gained its own life and traction with the English version. It was decided that the English version would be the one we would showcase to the world. It was quite momentous. Being on the billboards was such a thrill.” The fringe benefits have been immense too as she elaborates, “I have had several filmmakers approach me for conversations on various projects they have going on.” The film was nominated at The Gulf of Naples Independent Film Festival. It received four nominations at The Amsterdam International Filmmaker Festival. It was the winner of Best Cinematography at The Web dance Film Festival.
It has gained a lot of buzz in India too, including the Kerala Film Critics Award for Best Film, the Kerala State Film Awards for Best Makeup, the Calcutta International Cult Film Festival. Reem laughs and informs, “The only one I attended so far has been the one at Amsterdam, since I was nominated for it.” Looking back at the days when Reem shot for the film in both English and Malayalam, she recalls, “It’s pretty surreal since I spent over 4 months studying Malayalam; it was the hardest challenge of my entire career.”
Reem tries to explain why the film has resonated with an international audience, “In terms of content, people have been impressed because this is based on the life of Reyhaneh Jabbari, who was sentenced to death in Iran, after defending her life against an officer who tried to rape her. This kind of story is hitting home on a very deep level with people from all walks of life. I saw the reaction myself in the theater in Amsterdam and people were crying and just so touched by the journey of this story. The time is now for a movie like this, especially with the Me Too movement in full swing. If any film represents Me Too, it’s this one,” she staunchly says.
She has been getting offers from Mollywood, but has not signed on the dotted line, “There is one in particular film that has piqued my interest, a true story, but I haven’t confirmed anything” She is in love with Kerala and says it is like a second home for her soul. “I experienced a rebirth of sorts being there, which was unlike anywhere I had ever been in all my travels.”
One aspect of the industry did not escape her notice, “I had seen an all-male crew in my film but I hope that more women can be incorporated behind the scenes in Mollywood.” Her immediate plans include acting in a Bollywood music video in which she is the only woman. She adds, “The director and my co-star is a four-time Emmy nominee. I look forward to trying something I have never done,” she ends.
