Each of us has our own dream, and if the actor is the storyteller through performance and presence, then he is like a magical genie who breathes life into characters, taking us on a journey through emotions and experiences. In this in-depth conversation, we dive with actor and director Salem Boules into the world of roles, discovering how performance can transform written words into scenes alive with feelings and meaning.
Jamila: As we all know, everything begins with a dream—but not everyone has the courage to take steps toward it. Entering the world of acting… was it just a dream at first? And how were you able to move from the dream stage to execution?
Salem: It all began in childhood, when I first stepped onto the school stage. That was when the idea of acting took hold. I had the courage, and I decided to join the institute to study performing arts.
Jamila: Not everyone has the bravery to pursue their dreams, and sometimes support from those around us makes all the difference. In your early beginnings, did you have that encouraging environment? Who was the person who supported you most at that stage?
Salem: The support came from my family and friends. That was enough to give me the determination to turn the dream into reality.
Jamila: A single word—whether positive or negative—can remain engraved in a person’s memory. Was there a word you heard at the start of your journey that you still carry with you today?
Salem: The first words I heard were: “You have a beautiful charisma.” They came from one of my professors at the institute—and thankfully, I still hear them to this day.
Jamila: Do you believe in miracles? When you first started out in acting, did you have full faith in your abilities and in choosing this path, or did fear outweigh the dream?
Salem: I believe in destiny. There is something divine that can lead us to where we are meant to be. But I also believe a person must strive to achieve what they want.
Jamila: How did you transform that fear into determination and faith that allowed you to achieve the impossible?
Salem: When I began, I trusted my abilities, but I didn’t know how to channel them. Through academic study, I discovered and learned how to control and refine them daily in order to improve. Nothing is impossible as long as we believe in ourselves.
Jamila: Experiences and challenges are what teach and shape us. As an actor, you live a new story every day through different roles. What’s the role that stayed with you in real life, one that taught you personal lessons or left advice you still remember today?
Salem: I’ve played many roles. I graduated in 2011, and since then I’ve been working as an actor in the Arab world—in Syria, Lebanon, and the UAE. Every role—whether good, bad, or comedic—has left its mark on me. I always say: “Music is the soul, and drama is life.” Any well-written role is enough to teach us something new every day. For example, in Al-Qurban, I played the role of Soumer, a completely villainous character, but it taught me that in life, a person reaps what they sow, and every action can return to you one way or another.
Jamila: Who was—and still is—your role model in the field of acting?
Salem: I was influenced by many actors in the Arab world and internationally. Among them is the great star Bassel Khayat. Fortunately, I had the chance to work with him early in my career—he is a brilliant actor. But on a global scale, my ultimate role model is, of course, Al Pacino.
Jamila: There’s a saying: “Sometimes all we need is a little bit of magic to begin our journey.” If we consider that the magic is the works you’ve participated in, tell us more about the key roles or works that became your turning points.
Salem: In the beginning, I participated in many projects, but my first lead role was in Al-Qurban. That was my breakthrough, the beginning of my recognition in the artistic community and beyond. I also acted in the film Rad al-Qada (Repelling Destiny), where I portrayed a real-life character, and I truly enjoyed the cinematic experience. Another role dear to my heart was Rizq in The Bishop Ilarion Capucci.
Jamila: How did each of these experiences add something new to your career?
Salem: Every experience can refine an actor’s tools—whether internal, like voice, body, and emotion, or external, like costumes, makeup, lighting, and even camera movement.
Jamila: Do you have friends in the artistic field? How have they influenced you? And what about your friends outside the industry—did they have any particular influence on you?
Salem: People can certainly influence us. Personally, I’m only influenced by those I trust. Of course, I have many friends—writers, directors, and actors across the Arab world. But today, since I moved to the United States and completed my studies in Filmmaking at the New York Film Academy, I’ve gained new friends from different nationalities, thanks to the international environment at the academy.
Jamila: You moved from acting to directing, studying at the New York Film Academy. What does this shift mean to you, and why did you decide to take this step?
Salem: I am an actor, but I love to be the creator of a complete artistic project. I chose to migrate and travel because of the circumstances my country, Syria, has been going through.
Jamila: How did this step add to your experience or change your perspective on art and on life?
Salem: This step created a new challenge for me, especially since I now work with people from different nationalities in New York. This has given me a unique and different experience compared to my previous work in the Arab world.
Jamila: Filmmaking is a reflection of the reality we live. Could you tell us about your graduation film project at the New York Film Academy? How did you manage to translate the painful reality of the Syrian people into a written script, and then into scenes on screen?
Salem: I made a short film as my graduation project titled A Part of Life, about a moment in the Syrian war. The film is not political—it is purely human. I wrote and directed it myself, paying close attention to every detail: the dialogue, the lighting, even the subtitles.
Jamila: How strong is your relationship with the camera? Do you feel it’s an extension of your artistic personality? How did you use it to convey your emotions and ideas in your short film?
Salem: My relationship with the camera is like that of children with their parents—I love the camera deeply, and I feel joy whenever I stand in front of it.
Jamila: In dramatic work, there are subtle details—like lighting in a particular scene—that the average viewer may not notice, but that are intentional and meaningful. Did you make sure to include such details in your first film as a director? Do you think only professionals can appreciate them, or can any viewer feel them?
Salem: Filmmaking is thought, feeling, and message. Of course, I paid attention to such details. It doesn’t matter if the viewer knows how we made the film—it matters that it touches their heart.
Jamila: Did you prefer simplicity in shooting your film to ensure clarity and fluidity for the audience, or do you generally lean toward unconventional styles to grab attention?
Salem: I didn’t think much about whether the film would be simple for the general audience or tailored for an intellectual elite. I simply followed my instinct. I believe I conveyed the intended message—especially after receiving my first award from the jury in Algeria at the DGIFG Festival.
Jamila: Every dream requires courage to begin and to be realized. What’s your advice for young people studying directing or acting—or for those just starting their journey, to believe in their dreams and take their first steps with confidence?
Salem: My advice to anyone who has a dream is to try to make it real, no matter how difficult it seems. Nothing is impossible. And thank you—it was truly an honor to do this wonderful interview with you.
