The fearless ambition of Mohamed Faisal Mostafa
The National · William Mullally ·
From childhood stunts to the set of Dune: Part Three, the Emirati actor has built a career on taking risks. Now his sights are set on Hollywood and helping to build a more robust film industry at home
On the set of Dune: Part Three, Mohamed Faisal Mostafa watched closely as Timothee Chalamet, Zendaya and Jason Momoa prepared for their scenes. Each day, he saw how they learnt their lines, how they worked, how they treated the people around them. The Emirati actor wanted to reach that level himself, and here he could see what it took.
“I sat back and I saw it all and I said to myself: ‘This is not unattainable.’ I can be there and, inshallah, I will be there so long as I keep consistent,” he says. Mostafa joined the production as a stunt performer. Director Denis Villeneuve knew he also acted and began finding opportunities for him to do more on camera.
As the shoot was coming to an end, Mostafa went up to thank him for his support. “He said: ‘Mohamed, there’s no need to thank me. You’re a natural. You’re a very talented actor.’”
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