Knight of the Moon: Who is May Kalamavi, who plays Leila in the Marvel series?

In addition to the series at MCU, Moon Knight has introduced a brand new hero to Marvel fans starting March 30 at Disney +. This character was tortured between two identities, between Stephen Grant on one side and Mark Spector on the other, played by Oscar Isaacs, to meet many enemies, including Arthur Harrow, camped Ethan Hawke.

In the adventures of the Egyptian gods and ancient mythologies, Stephen / Mark can be seen from the second episode, which was posted online today on the platform, with the help of Laila El-Faw, interpreted by Mai Kalamawi. A little-known actor to the general public is starting to make a name for himself on the small screen.

Born in Bahrain in 1986 to a Palestinian mother in Jordan and raised by an Egyptian father, May Kalamawi moved to Boston to study acting at Emerson University, then to train at William Esper’s studio in New York. A bilingual young woman who speaks English and Arabic has also lived in Doha, Qatar and Houston, Texas. He suffers from alopecia and first developed it at the age of 22 years.

The actor has starred in numerous short films and participated in the New York Arabian Comedy Festival in New York before starring in Djinn in 2013, Toby Hooper’s latest film, which we are particularly committed to the cult of the Texas chain massacre. . This experience gave him some basics at work, especially when acting in special effects, as the actor explains:

“It was a long time ago. But, I think in Gin I had to learn to develop my imagination, especially in the car scene where I had to pretend and imagine something. But I learned more. You just have to go, start, even if it means extra, I wanted extra To avoid, but I was taught that the opposite was better. “

After this film, Mai Kalamawi was particularly illustrated on the small screen, reprise her role in the mini-series The Long Road Home of National Geographic and appearing in The Brave, Madam Secretary and FBI. In 2019, he will take on a role that will bring him more light in Ramy, a critical and public success in the dramatic comedy.

She plays Dena Hassan, the sister of the protagonist Rami Hassan (Rami Youssef), an American Muslim of Generation Y whose spiritual pursuit contradicts the judgment of her friends and family. This role opens several doors for him and the actor continues the film together alongside Ed Helms and Pete Harrison and with the voice of the character Eli Malik in the video game NBA 2K21.

This is the year 2021, when she joins the Marvel team to star in the new Moon Knight series and play Leila El-Fawi, a character that May May especially love: “I love how resilient he is and how he thinks constantly. I love his diligence, his very strong side, but also his insecurity.”

The actor was preparing to enter the MCU “Check out all Marvel movies before you audition for COVID”. As soon as the role was performed, he also had to physically train: “I worked with a team of tricks for two months before filming and I had a coach to keep me physically fit and comfortable in the role.

May Kalamavi was very much tied to the Moon Knight series, especially to express the myths and heritage of Egypt and the Egyptians and this culture, which is precious to him:

“I was very proud to be able to learn a little more about mythology because it’s not what I’ve learned before. It was a chance to be on this shoot. All the scenes were built and it was easier to master and be with them. Can work and be comfortable in this In the environment.

As an actor, it is a real gift to show our modern culture. “I hope all Egyptians, all Arabs will be proud of the series and I’m excited that the world and people interested in Egypt can experience it on such a large scale.”

Interview by Megan Shockett on March 17, 2022.