Comedian Lama Maraashly: 'A chip off the old block'

By Nohad Topalian in Beirut
For Al-Shorfa.com
2010-09-01



				[File] Lama Maraashly currently hosts the TV program "Very Cool".

[File] Lama Maraashly currently hosts the TV program "Very Cool".

Lama Maraashly, daughter of the late comedian Ibrahim Maraashly, is a "chip off the old block". She has followed in her father's footsteps, entering the world of acting when she was eight years old. Currently, she is hosting a satirical comedy show on the Lebanese channel MTV that she says promotes diversity.

Al-Shorfa sat down with Lama Maraashly in Beirut.

Al-Shorfa: How has your family influenced your career?

Lama: I grew up in a preeminent artistic house. Since my childhood, I have been familiar with the stage and film because of my father Ibrahim Maraashly, may his soul rest in peace. When I was eight, I starred with my father in the series "Tower of Love". Then, at age 13, I starred in the series "Dad's Secretary".

Afterwards, I stopped acting for some time to focus on my studies. Then I resumed acting, as I majored in media, arts and directing. During my years at university, I worked with director Lina Abiadh in several plays, notably "The Clown" and "Silicone Bomb", which were presented in Syrian, Egyptian, and Jordanian festivals. I also starred in the television series "Life Sentence" by Professor Marwan Najjar.

Al-Shorfa: Currently, you are hosting the programme "Very Cool" on MTV. Tell us about that.

Lama: Before presenting this programme, I participated in the "SL Cast" contest on MTV, for seven weeks. At the end of this program, I was chosen as the best comedian in Lebanon. Later, I qualified to act in the famous show "SL Chi" for three months.

Currently, I am presenting my programme "Very Cool" on MTV. It is a critical, comedic, political, and satirical programme where we present funny sketches.

Al Shorfa: It conveys many political messages in a comic manner. What is the purpose?

Lama: Our primary objective in this programme is gathering all the Lebanese people from all sects, denominations and political affiliations. Whoever watches us, notes that we belong to no one. What is most beautiful is the fact that the actors are from different religions. It is a diverse team that represents all sects. The message we want to convey to all people is that, whatever our sect and our heritage, we are able to communicate and live with each other.

Al Shorfa: How has the show been received by the audience?

Lama: What I can say is that we have been presenting the programme for three months now. So far, the result is satisfactory. We have a high audience rating, and people stop us in the street to talk about a "character" we presented for just ten seconds.

Al-Shorfa: Are you doing any current theatre work?

Lama: I am starring in the play "The Last House in Gemmayzeh", directed by Betty Tawtel. It will be shown again at the beginning of October.

Al-Shorfa: To what extent has the name of Ibrahim Maraashly helped you in your acting career?

Lama: On the contrary, his name held me back. Since my debut, I did not want to enter this world because of connections. Every time I had a casting call I just introduced myself as Lama. I used my full name only after successful casting.

Al-Shorfa: Why do you have this fear of introducing yourself fully?

Lama: My main objective is to assert myself. I am proud of my fame. My father gave me something that cannot be bought, which is talent. It is a legacy transmitted by blood and genes. Whoever sees me acting will say that I resemble him.

Al-Shorfa: What does it mean that you are reviving his school of acting?

Lama: I embody his comedic school to revive his memory and so that the name of Maraashly will remain vital in the field of art.

Al-Shorfa: Quite a responsibility!

Lama: That is true. My father worked for 40 years. He sacrificed a lot and gave more than his capacity. So, I find myself facing a big responsibility. I study each step I make to preserve his name and so that people will say she is "a chip off the old block".

Al-Shorfa: What about directing, which you majored in?

Lama: Currently, I am focusing on acting. After asserting myself and acquiring the necessary experience, I will start on a complete project that is written, directed, and performed by me.

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Reader Comments

obada2011-09-11 04:02:00

She is a good lovely actress.

2010-09-12 17:02:00

The duck’s son is a floater for sure, but this proverb doesn't apply in the case of the daughter of Samir Ghanim. She is not as comical as her father. Comedy is a nice talent.

السماوي2010-09-12 17:02:00

I believe that a minority of the artists' children, and not all of them, are capable of working in the acting field like their parents. Many of them fail after experience, because their parents' names are dominant; and many directors choose them to participate in some works out of courtesy to their parents. But they may fail; only those who love this field and refine their talents through studying, achieve success. The latter succeed and achieve stardom. It is possible that there could be some among the artists' families' children who have got talents like their parents, and who have the ability to enter this domain. I don't deny that there are many among the artists' children who have become stars. However, what helped them is the fact that their parents have strong connections in the domain of the arts. There are some artists who prevent their children from participating in the art domain, because it is difficult, or out of jealousy; so that their children won't become famous and affect their stardom.

2010-09-12 16:05:00

Lebanon has got lots of talented comedians. But frankly speaking, there is no comparison between Egyptian, Syrian and Lebanese artists; because they are not on the same level. Comedy in Egypt and Syria has become widespread. It includes many famous comedians' names that have become adored in the Arab countries. However, in Lebanon, we don't find any famous names in the Arab world, especially in the most recent years, as we have not witnessed the birth of any new comedian. In the past, Lebanon was a strong competitor in the domain of comedy with its different stars; but now, there is no real movie industry in order to produce real comedians.

2010-09-12 15:05:00

Many of the actors' children take their parents' profession. But certainly they need to be talented, if they have the talent, they can be among the most famous stars in art and acting. They can become creative in playing roles and having lots of fans. Most artists' children have taken part in artistic works, drama series and programs since their childhood. They go with their parents to the shooting locations. Thus they get an idea about acting, how to play roles and how to stand in front of the camera. For this reason, as soon as they reach the university age, they enroll in arts universities specialized in refining talents through the acting courses they provide. After that, they move into practice. There are many examples of many Arab, foreign and Iraqi actors' children.

مهند2010-09-06 16:02:00

In my opinion, the Egyptian comedy is unparalleled, because it goes way back, and it started with Ismail Yasin, Abd El-Salam Nabulsi, Adil Imam or the young comedians Muhammad Hinidi, Muhammad Sa’d, and many others. Nevertheless, the Lebanese comedy has presented good works and it has its own approach. Comedy is among the most difficult types of acting, because it takes extra effort and care to appear as if they are living reality, not merely acting. I believe that comedy tackles many issues of the social problems and criticizes the officials, as is the case today in Iraq. I think that the comedy differs according to the Arab countries, and each country has its own way, approach and nature. However, Lebanon needs more comic actors and directors. Therefore, I still believe that the Egyptian comedy is the best in the Arab world. As for Iraqi comedy, it may be in the second place, along with Syrian comedy, followed by the Lebanese acting. I do not want to be unfair to anyone in my classification. However, this is my opinion regarding comedy in the Arab world.

سماح2010-09-06 13:03:00

As the article mentioned, like father like son. Children learn from their experiences and from their fathers, until they graduate as successful and experienced actors. The proof is that we see many children of actors, in addition to the actress that was mentioned in the article, play good and important roles in the TV series and films. This is very common among the Egyptian actors, whose children represent the second generation, such as Minnah Shalabi, daughter of Zizi, Ahmad Al-Fishawi, son of Farouq Al-Fishawi, Riham Abd Al-Ghafour, daughter of the actor Ashraf Abd Al-Ghafour, son of the actor Adil Imam and Ahmad Zaki. This confirms that Egypt is the mother of arts, and the majority of the young actors are the children of the older generation. I see that the children of the actors and actresses are capable of being actors without depending on the reputation of their parents to introduce them to the world of acting.

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