Breakout star Omar Sherif: Finding a sense of home in China

Young Egyptian actor Omar Sherif, who plays Seif in the box office hit Once Upon a Time in the Middle East, recently sat down with Cultural Frontline to talk about how he brought the character to life.

To prepare for the role, Omar learned Mandarin and mastered Chinese cooking skills, but his connection with the country runs even deeper — his great-grandfather was originally from Shandong province. Omar says the warmth and openness he has experienced in China have given him a strong sense of belonging and made him feel at home. For him, playing Seif was more than taking on a role, it was a journey rediscovering his roots.