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Recipes for Success: Chef Mo Ponzo talks butter, balance and Bolognese

Recipes for Success: Chef Mo Ponzo talks butter, balance and Bolognese
Mo Ponzo is the brand chef at Berenjak UAE. (Supplied)
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Updated 30 August 2024
Hams Saleh
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Recipes for Success: Chef Mo Ponzo talks butter, balance and Bolognese

Recipes for Success: Chef Mo Ponzo talks butter, balance and Bolognese
Updated 30 August 2024
Hams Saleh
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DUBAI: Kenyan-born Italian-Somali chef Mohamed “Mo” Ponzo has carved out a distinguished career in Michelin-starred restaurants and other top-tier establishments. 

His passion for cooking was sparked in the family kitchen, where he cooked alongside his grandmother, aunt, and sisters. One of his earliest memories is of cutting mango — his favorite fruit — which also resulted in his first knife injury aged just four. 

Ponzo always enjoyed the family coming together around the dinner table, sampling the home-cooked dishes. He says he believes cooking to be “the purest form of love.” 




Berenjak UAE is an outpost of the acclaimed London restaurant. (Supplied)

A defining moment came when, aged 10, he found himself cooking for his grandmother and great-grandmother while the family was away. The only dish he could prepare was tomato sauce with fresh peas and a store-bought Somali bread called mufoo.  

“I couldn’t feed the people I loved properly,” he recalls. It was then that he made a promise to himself: “In the future, I would be able to cook anything I want for the people I love.” 

Ponzo has gone on to gain industry recognition including a spot on season 15 of “Masterchef: The Professionals” and being named a Rising Star by Soho House in 2018.  

Today, Ponzo is the brand chef at Berenjak UAE — an outpost of the acclaimed London restaurant. His branch was awarded a Bib Gourmand by the Michelin Guide this year.  




Indian lamb. (Supplied)

Here, he discusses common kitchen mistakes and his favorite dish, and offers a chocolate mousse recipe. 

What’s your top tip for amateur chefs?  

Always taste your food as you cook and adjust seasoning accordingly. This helps ensure your dish is well balanced and flavorful at the end.  

What one ingredient can instantly improve any dish?  

Fresh herbs are always good, but for me it’s butter. Always add loads of butter. It’s so versatile. At different temperatures, it has different aromas and characteristics. A tablespoon of butter can make a huge difference in a dish.   

When you go out to eat, do you find yourself critiquing the food?  

I think it’s natural for people who are passionate about food to notice details when they’re eating out. 




Saddle of salt marsh lamb. (Supplied)

What’s the most common issue that you find in other restaurants?  

Inconsistency. You can go one day and it’s perfect and during your next visit it’s a totally average experience. Restaurants can achieve greater consistency by being in constant touch with their suppliers and demanding the best produce available, ensuring top quality on a daily basis. And, most importantly, training their team to detect and maintain that consistency.  

What’s your favorite cuisine? 

I enjoy Indian and classical French cuisines for their bold flavors and use of many cooking techniques.  

What’s your go-to dish if you have to cook something quickly at home? 

Linguine with tomato and anchovy sauce with loads of olive oil and parsley. It’s healthy and packed with flavor, and it’s quick to make. 

What behavior by customers most annoys you? 

Asking to amend or rearrange a dish that has taken a chef many hours to develop. It definitely changes the experience and the taste that the chef was trying to convey to his customers. Obviously if it’s due to allergies then that’s completely fine. Another thing is being rude to waitstaff.  




His branch was awarded a Bib Gourmand by the Michelin Guide this year. (Supplied)

What’s your favorite dish to cook and why? 

My favorite dish would be my auntie’s spaghetti Bolognese. Every day after school, I hoped it would be a spaghetti Bolognese day. I have watched — and helped — her make it a hundred times, but I still cannot make it as good as her. She just has her own touch.  

What’s the secret to a great kabab? 

There’s no real secret to be honest. It’s about the quality of the meat and good charcoal. Quality is always key. 

As a head chef, what are you like? 

Maintaining a balance between being assertive and supportive is crucial in any leadership role. 

RECIPE: Chef Mo’s chocolate mousse  




Chocolate mousse. (Supplied) 

(NOTE: Requires ice cream machine and blow torch) 

INGREDIENTS 

For the chocolate mousse: 150g butter (unsalted); 300g dark chocolate (74%); 4 egg yolks; 6 egg whites 

For the sorbet: 500g strawberry purée; 500g water; 200g sugar; 30g glucose; 150g lemon verbena; 5g Stabilizer  

For the lemon verbena gel: 200g lemon verbena; 300g water; 100g sugar; 6g agar agar  

For the chocolate soil: 100g plain flour; 100g white caster sugar; 100g unsalted butter; 25g cocoa powder   

For the wild strawberries: 200g wild strawberries; 100g lemon verbena; 1 lemon; 10g sugar  

INSTRUCTIONS:  

For the mousse:  

1) Melt the chocolate and butter together, cool slightly, then add the egg yolks and whisk. 

2) In a separate bowl, whip the egg whites until a stiff peak forms. 

3) Fold the egg whites and the chocolate mixture together. 

4) Pipe into round ring molds and set. 

5) Place in fridge until set. 

For the sorbet:  

1) Place the water, sugar and glucose in a pan and bring to boil. Add the verbena and take off the heat. Allow to rest for about 10 minutes. 

2) Add the strawberry purée and stabilizer.  

3) Pour the mixture into the sorbet machine and churn until set.  

For the gel:  

1) Place the verbena, water, and sugar in a blender and blend for one minute. 

2) Transfer the mixture to a pot and bring to the boil. Add the agar agar and boil for two minutes.  

3) Transfer to a tray and set in the blast chiller.  

4) Once set, blend the gel till it becomes smooth, then pass through a sieve. 

5) Place it in a squeezy bottle.  

For the chocolate soil:  

1) Preheat oven to 165°C 

2) Place all the ingredients in a large mixing bowl and mix until you get a crumbly texture 

3) Transfer to a tray and place in preheated oven. Bake for 20 minutes.   

4) Transfer to a container and keep at room temperature. 

For the strawberries:  

Place the strawberries, sugar, verbena leaves, lemon zest and lemon juice in a bowl. Place in the fridge until you are ready to serve.  

Serving:  

1) Make sure the sorbet and chocolate mousse are set. 

2) Remove the chocolate mousse from the mold using a blow torch (briefly warming the outside of the molds so the mousse comes out easily).   

Topics: Mo Ponzo Berenjak UAE

Pakistan’s first hand-drawn animated film ‘The Glassworker’ makes Oscars eligibility list

Pakistan’s first hand-drawn animated film ‘The Glassworker’ makes Oscars eligibility list
Updated 22 November 2024
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Pakistan’s first hand-drawn animated film ‘The Glassworker’ makes Oscars eligibility list

Pakistan’s first hand-drawn animated film ‘The Glassworker’ makes Oscars eligibility list
  • The film was released in July, with its director calling it the result of ‘passion and perseverance’
  • Selection committee in the country says it has broken ‘new ground for animation’ in Pakistan
Updated 22 November 2024
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s first hand-drawn animated film, “The Glassworker,” has been named on the list of eligible films for the 97th Academy Awards in both the Animated Feature Film and International Feature Film categories, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced this week.
Directed by young Pakistani animator Usman Riaz, the film was released in July and features 1,477 cuts and 2,500 individual drawings. The coming-of-age tale follows Vincent, a young apprentice at his father’s glass workshop, and Alliz, a talented violinist and the daughter of a military colonel.
Against the backdrop of a looming war, their relationships with their parents and each other are tested.
“Thirty-one features are eligible for consideration in the Animated Feature Film category for the 97th Academy Awards,” the Academy said on its website, with “The Glassworker” among them.
“Films submitted in the Animated Feature Film category may also qualify for Academy Awards in other categories, including Best Picture,” it added. “Animated features that have been submitted in the International Feature Film category as their country’s official selection are also eligible in the category.”
Five films from the list will be shortlisted for nominations in the Animated Feature Film category, with the ultimate winner announced at the Oscars ceremony scheduled for March 3, 2025.
A team of 250 national and international cast and crew members worked on the film, which was produced by Riaz’s Karachi-based Mano Animation Studios.
The film became Pakistan’s first-ever animated feature to be nominated for Oscars consideration in September.
“Usman and Mano’s work has demonstrated exceptional storytelling and artistry while breaking new ground for animation in Pakistan,” the Academy Selection Committee of Pakistan said earlier while lauding the project. “This achievement will be remembered in our cinematic history.”
Riaz described his effort as a result of “a decade of passion and perseverance” when the film was nominated for Oscars from Pakistan.
“I am deeply humbled by the selection and hope this story resonates with audiences everywhere, showcasing the talent and creativity Pakistan has to offer,” he added. 

Topics: animation films The Glassworker animator oscar

Celebrity-loved jeweler Azza Fahmy has ‘a strong connection’ with Saudi Arabia

Celebrity-loved jeweler Azza Fahmy has ‘a strong connection’ with Saudi Arabia
Updated 22 November 2024
Hams Saleh
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Celebrity-loved jeweler Azza Fahmy has ‘a strong connection’ with Saudi Arabia

Celebrity-loved jeweler Azza Fahmy has ‘a strong connection’ with Saudi Arabia
  • The CEO and head of design at the Egyptian jewelry house their mother founded discuss their new flagship store in Riyadh 
  • ‘Every time she goes, she has a strong connection there,’ the head of design said of Azza Fahmy’s trips to Saudi Arabia
Updated 22 November 2024
Hams Saleh

DUBAI: Egyptian entrepreneur and jewelry designer Azza Fahmy is celebrated for crafting pieces that weave cultural stories into wearable art, resonating with those who appreciate depth and meaning in every design. 

Fahmy’s signature gold-and-silver pieces have long been embraced by Egypt’s top entertainers, including the late actress and singer Soad Hosny and celebrated actress Yousra.  

Her jewelry has also garnered an impressive international following, including A-list stars like actors Julia Roberts, Shailene Woodley, Naomi Watts, and Vanessa Hudgens, and singers Joss Stone and Rihanna.  

Inside Azza Fahmy's recently opened flagship store in Riyadh. (Supplied)

The brand has also forged a particularly strong connection with Saudi customers, who value the blend of tradition and modernity it offers. It recently expanded its reach with the opening of a flagship store in Riyadh, catering to a growing Saudi clientele.  

Fahmy’s daughters — CEO Fatma Ghaly and head of design Amina Ghaly — say the new outlet is the result of years spent cultivating relationships with Saudi clients. 

“The opening of our flagship store in Riyadh marks a significant milestone for Azza Fahmy,” Fatma tells Arab News. “Throughout the years, we’ve had the privilege of cultivating meaningful relationships with our Saudi clientele, connecting through online platforms, exhibitions, and pop-ups, all while experiencing a growing demand for our jewelry.”  

Inside Azza Fahmy's recently opened flagship store in Riyadh. (Supplied)

For Amina, the store is a continuation of her mother’s decades-long connection to Saudi Arabia, where she has often been inspired by the culture, architecture and landscapes.  

“Every time she goes, she has a strong connection there,” Amina says. “There is the architectural aspect that we have drawn inspiration from, (but also the culture): for our collection ‘Ahla Ma Ghanaho Al-Arab,’ we were inspired by (Saudi singer and composer) Abdul Majeed Abdullah, so it’s really varied over the years. 

“We draw inspiration not from one thing or the other. It is a question of how the inspiration serves the collection, and I feel like, with Saudi Arabia, the more we keep going there, the more we will continue to be inspired,” she adds.  

Crescent Filigree Earrings. (Supplied)

Fatma explains that this made opening a permanent store in Saudi Arabia feel like the right move, especially as the Kingdom’s luxury market shows a growing interest in heritage-inspired brands. 

“Our new store is a testament to our commitment to the Saudi market, offering a space that showcases our craftsmanship and invites visitors to explore the beauty and stories behind our pieces,” she says.  

According to Fatma, Saudi Arabia’s luxury market has transformed in recent years. Clients increasingly seek brands that emphasize authenticity, cultural stories and craftsmanship.  

“The Saudi consumer has long been sophisticated and well-traveled, but in recent years Saudi Arabia’s luxury market has experienced remarkable growth and evolution, especially for heritage-driven brands like Azza Fahmy. There has been a significant shift towards valuing craftsmanship, cultural narratives, and authenticity in luxury goods,” she explains.  

(Supplied)

For many Saudi clients, jewelry that reflects their identity and holds personal meaning is highly sought after, making Azza Fahmy’s storytelling-focused designs especially appealing. 

Fatma and Amina are both enthusiastic about connecting with Saudi’s younger generation, who are attracted to brands that combine tradition with innovation.  

“Our designs resonate with this dynamic audience by blending contemporary aesthetics with traditional motifs,” Fatma says. “We embrace innovation in our processes and materials, ensuring that our jewelry appeals to a modern sensibility while remaining rooted in cultural heritage.  

Inside Azza Fahmy's workshop. (Getty)

“This approach not only attracts younger consumers but also fosters a deeper connection to their identity, allowing them to wear pieces that are both stylish and meaningful,” she continues.  

Amina says that today’s luxury market is increasingly global, shaped more by shared interests than regional preferences. “As brands, we should not segment by region but rather by character,” she says. “The internet and social media has made the world a very small place. So, you find women in Saudi who, for instance, are very interested in travel and seek brands they can connect with on a personal level. Someone in London, someone in Japan, someone in Brazil could have the same interest. These are character traits, more than regional traits.”  

However, Amina notes that there is a unique regional connection when it comes to Arabic calligraphy and poetry. 

Amina Ghali is the head designer. (Supplied)

“I feel that women from the Arab region are very drawn towards the Arabic language, because rather than me translating it for them and trying to give them the gist of what it means, they can read and recognize it and connect with it themselves,” she says.  

Beyond the Middle East, Azza Fahmy’s collections with Arabic calligraphy have found success in places including the UK, where clients often appreciate the aesthetic and personal significance of the script.  

“When we were approaching the British market, we were under the false impression — from whatever market survey that we did at the time — of ‘They do not understand it, and they will not understand it, so they will not be able to connect.’ We were very happily surprised to learn that our number one-performing collection, in our Burlington Arcade boutique in London, is the calligraphy collection,” Amina says. “It’s because they are carrying it as their own little secret. The client comes and picks up something like, for instance, the eternity ring inspired by Umm Kalthoum, and she takes it as ‘I’m the only one that understands what it says.’” 

The Riyadh store stocks many of the brand’s high jewelry pieces. Among Amina’s personal favorites, she says, is the “Scripts of Love” bangle, adorned with emeralds and calligraphy. 

“The combination of stones, poetry, and calligraphy creates a piece that captures attention without overshadowing any element,” she says.  

She also highlighted the delicate “Crescent Filigree” earrings with tanzanite — a design that showcases the brand’s expertise in filigree craftsmanship. 

Azza Fahmy’s commitment to the empowerment of women is also in line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which encourages increased female participation in the workforce and leadership roles.  

Fatma explains that the brand’s jewelry aims to reflect individuality and heritage — resonating with modern Saudi women who appreciate both cultural pride and self-expression. 

“As a company led by women — with women in key roles across all levels of management — empowering women is simply part of our DNA,” she says. “It is not something we ‘strive for.’ It comes naturally to us.”  

Topics: Azza Fahmy Saudi Arabia

From struggles to innovation: How Saudi calligrapher Abdulaziz Al-Rashedi revolutionized Arabic script

From struggles to innovation: How Saudi calligrapher Abdulaziz Al-Rashedi revolutionized Arabic script
Updated 22 November 2024
Rawaa Talass
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From struggles to innovation: How Saudi calligrapher Abdulaziz Al-Rashedi revolutionized Arabic script

From struggles to innovation: How Saudi calligrapher Abdulaziz Al-Rashedi revolutionized Arabic script
  • ‘I feel there is a holy light within the letters,’ says Abdulaziz Al-Rashedi
Updated 22 November 2024
Rawaa Talass

DUBAI: Saudi calligrapher and arts instructor Abdulaziz Al-Rashedi’s first love was the pen. His fascination with writing began in elementary school in the Eighties in his hometown of Madinah.  

Al-Rashedi talks about holding a pen in the same way a musician might discuss holding their instrument. In the eyes of the calligrapher, writing is an artistic act, like a dance, that has its own kind of magic.  

“What I loved about the pen was the way the ink was flowing out of it,” he tells Arab News. “The pen led me to my love of writing Arabic calligraphy.”  

Al-Rashedi talks about holding a pen in the same way a musician might discuss holding their instrument. (Supplied)

But there were challenges imposed by the conservative social environment of the Kingdom in the Eighties and Nineties.  

“People didn’t regard art as something important. During that time, people thought that art couldn’t generate money. For them, it was a waste of time,” he says. “In such a depressing environment, I was suffering from people’s lack of interest. They were saying that the writing would distract me from my studies. But actually, it encouraged me to study.”  

Not everyone disregarded his interest in pursuing calligraphy, however. Al-Rashedi’s late father was always a supporter.  

3punt 2. (Supplied)

“He was a believer in writing, and conserving it,” Al-Rashedi says. “He thought I was doing something important with my life, even though others thought it wasn’t important. They likened it to making scribbles. I was literally making art on my own. None of my friends shared this interest with me and there were no calligraphy institutes to encourage this talent. The situation was very difficult.” 

But in 1993, Al-Rashedi learned there was, in fact, a master Saudi calligrapher living in Madinah: Ahmad Dia. He kindly agreed to teach Al-Rashedi the basics of Arabic calligraphy. And, perhaps just as importantly, to do so in his home, which Al-Rashedi compares to a school and a museum, as well as a meeting place for calligraphers. 

“I was young, but he treated me like a man,” the artist recalls. “For us calligraphers, he was like a spiritual father figure, who planted a seed of determination in us. He always encouraged us and never told us off if our writing wasn’t on point.”  

3punt 4. (Supplied)

Al-Rashedi remained in contact with his tutor until Dia’s death in 2022 during the COVID pandemic. “When he died, it felt as if the light went off,” Al-Rashedi says. 

Al-Rashedi also trained himself by copying the work of another important figure: Hashem Al-Baghdadi, the influential Iraqi calligrapher and educator who published books on the rules of Arabic calligraphy. Al-Rashedi describes the pre-social media era as a “truly dark period” when there were no opportunities to host exhibitions or share his work with others.  

“People weren’t communicating with each other. It was a period that lacked (opportunity) and even good materials, such as pens and paper,” he recalls.  

But with the advent of social media, most notably Facebook, and the opening of a few art galleries, including Jeddah’s Athr Gallery in 2009, things improved drastically. Today, Al-Rashedi is able to share his work on Instagram and other platforms, displaying the skills he has honed over three decades of practice.  

His fascination with writing began in elementary school in the Eighties in his hometown of Madinah. (Supplied)

Arabic calligraphy is an internationally respected art form that has existed for thousands of years, exercised in Islamic texts and found on monuments around the world. So, what is its long-lasting secret?  

“I often ask myself why the curves of Arabic calligraphy have bewitched people for so long, and I believe it inevitably has something to do with its holiness,” he says. “Allah has been an inspiration for calligraphers and their innovation of writing. I feel there is a holy light within the letters of Arabic calligraphy.”  

But Al-Rashedi also believes that, for many years, calligraphy has been stuck in a rut, untouched by modern innovation or creativity.  

3punt 6. (Supplied)

“Many calligraphers have literally said that Arabic calligraphy has reached its end and no one could add anything new to it,” he says. “Such an idea is incorrect.”  

Indeed, Al-Rashedi has invented his own form of Arabic calligraphy, which he calls “3punt.” (He says the name refers to the size of the letters, which are written using three different pens.)  

“It depends on the idea of lessening the thickness of the letter. Usually, one pen is used in Arabic calligraphy. But I discovered that the original bulkiness of Arabic scripture and the usage of just one pen prevents Arabic calligraphy from having new forms of writing being added to its system.”  

Based on a strict set of rules, Al-Rashedi’s 3punt calligraphy contains 55 “subtypes of writing,” he says. It has its own lightness and elegance, with carefully choreographed flowing lines of slender Arabic script.   

Ultimately, Al-Rashedi believes that Arabic calligraphy is about connections.  

“If we look at Latin or Chinese scripture, on letters like ‘n,’ ‘e,’ or ‘r,’ they are based on separate components. But with Arabic calligraphy, you can connect six or seven letters in one go,” he says. “Without a doubt, Arabic writing — as an art form — is superior to other types of writing.” 

Topics: Abdulaziz Al-Rashedi

US contemporary artist Brendan Murphy discusses his first show in Riyadh

US contemporary artist Brendan Murphy discusses his first show in Riyadh
Updated 22 November 2024
Sulafa Alkhunaizi
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US contemporary artist Brendan Murphy discusses his first show in Riyadh

US contemporary artist Brendan Murphy discusses his first show in Riyadh
Updated 22 November 2024
Sulafa Alkhunaizi

RIYADH: The American contemporary artist Brendan Murphy brought his solo exhibition “Complete Control” to Ahlam Gallery in Riyadh on Nov. 7. The Riyadh show is the conclusion of a global tour that Murphy began in June 2024 at Fineart Oslo. 

The show features a number of Murphy’s iconic “Spaceman” sculptures, with a particular focus on his limited-edition collectible series titled “Magication.”  

In an interview with Arab News, Murphy said the main goal of his show is to bring people “into the moment.” He also stressed that he felt a “creative cultural resonance” with the Kingdom, where he believes people have shown “an appetite for creative works.”  

The Riyadh show is the conclusion of a global tour that Murphy began in June 2024 at Fineart Oslo. (Supplied)

He said: “I have a lot of stuff I’m working on, but I’m focused on building a foundation in Riyadh right now. This show is not a one-shot deal, I want to be a part of this renaissance (that’s happening in Saudi Arabia) for the next five to 10 years, at least. I want to be a part of it — I want to lead it if I can.”  

Murphy’s body of work includes colorful abstract paintings and sculptures of his signature Spacemen, which explore themes of beauty, power, and the human experience. 

As a kid, watching astronauts and space shuttle launches played a major role in Murphy’s life and eventually became one of his main artistic inspirations.  

Brendan Murphy's 'Frozen With Desire.' (Supplied)

“My spacemen have little to do with space travel,” he explained. “They epitomize embracing the unknown — taking that step — more than somebody that literally is flying into darkness.” 

Murphy’s Spacemen come in various sizes and forms, including small collectibles and large-scale installations. This versatility allows them to fit into diverse settings, from private collections to public art displays. The sculptures can be found across the world, including a 13-foot Spaceman in Houston’s Minute Maid Park baseball stadium and a 22-foot Spaceman in Oslo. 

Murphy hasn’t always been an artist. He was once a professional basketball player in Europe, and then became a Wall Street trader. “I did not make a full pivot into accepting that I was a creative person until I was maybe 29,” he said. Today, he is one of most financially successful contemporary artists in the world. 

In 2021, Brendan created his “Boonji Project” — a collection of his artwork as non-fungible tokens — and launched it on the Ethereum blockchain (which uses the cryptocurrency Ether). It became the largest primary NFT sale in history, producing $15.5 million dollars.   

Brendan Murphy's 2023 work '9 Intentions.' (Supplied)

His work has proven popular with both serious collectors and celebrities, including the tennis players Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams, as well as US business mogul Warren Buffett.  

Inspired by artists including Jean-Michel Basquiat and Jackson Pollock — famed for their use of color — Murphy’s art aims to encourage the viewer to tune into their emotions and discover the unknown. 

“I love color as a means of communicating a feeling,” Murphy said. “When I make something and I get it right, my work creates energy and that’s pretty cool. Color is the easiest way of creating energy; different colors connect with different feelings.” 

Murphy said his practice, by choice, demands that he step out of his comfort zone. He utilizes non-traditional methods and rare materials including chrome and diamonds to create conceptual pieces. He has become famous for his extravagant works of art, including “Frozen with Desire,” a sculpture of an astronaut encrusted with 6,200 diamonds, priced at $25 million.  

“As an artist, you have to be uncomfortable all the time,” he said. “Find comfort in what you can control, then break it and go where you have no idea what you’re doing.” 

Topics: Brendan Murphy

Mark Strong plays ‘interesting version’ of all-powerful ruler in ‘Dune: Prophecy’ 

Mark Strong plays ‘interesting version’ of all-powerful ruler in ‘Dune: Prophecy’ 
Updated 22 November 2024
Shyama Krishna Kumar
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Mark Strong plays ‘interesting version’ of all-powerful ruler in ‘Dune: Prophecy’ 

Mark Strong plays ‘interesting version’ of all-powerful ruler in ‘Dune: Prophecy’ 
Updated 22 November 2024
Shyama Krishna Kumar

JEDDAH: The latest big-budget sci-fi series takes fans back to the familiar universe of Frank Herbert’s “Dune,” but 10,000 years before the events of the recent movies starring Zendaya and Timothée Chalamet. 

The HBO Max show “Dune: Prophecy” — streaming in the Middle East on OSN+ — follows the rise of the shadowy Bene Gesserit sisterhood. British actor Mark Strong takes on the role of Emperor Javicco Corrino, a man who has become ruler of the galaxy at a tumultuous time. 

No stranger to playing characters in powerful positions — most recently, he portrayed the ruthless mob boss Carmine Falcone in another HBO series, “Penguin” — Strong claims that his Emperor Corrino is a little different to the usual screen versions of such men. 

“I’m playing a very interesting version of the guy in charge,” Strong tells Arab News. “So, he is the emperor of the universe, which is a great part to play as an actor, obviously, but what’s fascinating about him is his vulnerability — the fact that he is managing a fragile peace. 

“So, the guy isn’t what I normally am asked to play, which is people with power who know what they’re doing. He’s very unsure of himself. He doesn’t feel like he’s inherited the ability of his father, he feels a bit of an imposter. He’s trying to deal with a world that he’s not in control of. And I love that juxtaposition of a man that’s supposed to be in charge and supposed to know what he’s doing, and actually he’s very unsure of himself.” 

For Strong, the success of the current “Dune” movie and TV franchise is down to the source material.  

“The base of the whole thing is these amazing novels that people adore. They are incredibly complicated — really rich. A lot of what we know as modern science fiction, whether it’s ‘Star Trek’ or ‘Star Wars’ or whatever, they come from those books,” he said. 

“It’s a world that you want to try and have a go at, because nobody’s done it before. The series, obviously, is set before the movies and in a very different world. And it’s great to have a go at something that that is as fresh as this.” 

Topics: Mark Strong Dune: Prophecy

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