~ August 2007 ~

OUT OF IRAQ: 'A remarkable Story'

~ 10 September 2007 ~

OUT OF IRAQ: 'A stunning thriller...one of the most amazing stories you will read this year' (INSIGHT MAGAZINE)

~ 01 November 2007 ~

For full article click

OUT OF IRAQ: 'Awesome...Immense' - Reviewed by Fiona Atherton (THE SCOTSMAN)

The immense burden of his epic struggle makes its weight felt. Never is that personal burden more apparent than in descriptions of the horrors that his family endures, both at the hands of the Iraqi intelligence service and in the Malaysian prison where they are detained after been denied entry on fake passports. The floor "black with dirt and covered with a ghoulish human kaleidoscope of prostrate bodies", the prison is no less barbarous than Iraq's notorious Abu Ghraib, to where Alsamari's family is eventually returned. It is no wonder, then, that he has since been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, a condition that undoubtedly affects the narrative. The distance that he has understandably placed between himself and the traumas he has survived creates a frigidity between storyteller and story, but one that, far from leaving the narrative lacking in feeling, only serves to deepen our sympathy for everything that this man has overcome. Alsamari's story is one that certainly warrants a book.

~ 11 August 2007 ~

For full article click

'ESCAPE FROM BAGHDAD': Lewis Alsamari's portrayal of a 9/11 hijacker in the film United 93 had a peculiar resonance for the Iraqi refugee who risked his life to free himself and his family from tyranny. On the publication of his memoir, he talks to Andrew Anthony (THE DAILY TELEGRAPH MAGAZINE)

It is customary for male actors to speculate on what they would have done had they not gone into the rather unbutch profession of acting. Gangster and footballer are common if usually implausible answers. Lewis Alsamari, who appeared in the acclaimed film United 93, has no need for such fantasies. He has a more authentic sense of his alternative fate because he very nearly lived it. 'I would have been part of a militia for the Iraqi insurgency,' he tells me, 'probably leading them'. He thinks the experience has added to his authority as an actor. 'Being from Iraq,' he says without swagger, 'I bring a genuine credibility to projects.' This was certainly true in United 93, in which Alsamari played one of the 9/11 hijackers of the flight that crashed into the countryside after a passenger revolt. There was something powerfully menacing and yet almost vulnerable about his performance. He managed to convey a kind of psychopathic zealotry without turning his character into a cartoon monster. One of the film's virtues was that it had no star turns. Alsamari did his job admirably, but in doing so he became just 'one of the hijackers', a face that could quickly fade from the memory of casting agents. But it hasn't worked out like that.

~ 23 June 2007 ~

For 5 page article from click

'ONE MAN ARMY': How Actor Lewis Alsamari took on Saddam Hussein and Won

Strength is measured by the size of your opponent. In my case, it was Saddam Hussein's regime. I needed to be as hard as nails. I have proven to myself that I can achieve whatever I set out to do. For 13 years, my mission was to carve a safe passage for my family.

~ August 2007 edition ~

For full article click

'ALSAMARI HIJACKS THE EDINBURGH FESTIVAL': Lewis Alsamari, a handsome 30-year old Iraqi actor who trained at LAMDA, who has received wide acclaim for his portrayal of hijacker Saeed al-Ghamdi in the film, was thrust into the international spotlight earlier this year. Paul Lucas of Paul Lucas Theatre Productions (New York) said we are delighted to announce the casting of Alsamari who will join an international cast, under the direction of First Award winning Director Hannah Eidinow. "Lewis's story of surviving in, and escaping from, Iraq are truly extraordinary," said Lucas. " We feel very fortunate to have Lewis not only as a performer, but as a resource for the other actors to give them insight into life in Iraq and life as an Iraqi living in the West."

~ July 2006 ~

For full article from PERFORMING ARTS NEWS click HERE

'STAR LOOKS TO OWN PAST FOR IRAQI FRINGE DRAMA': Lewis Alsamari will take the lead role in the festival play What I Heard About Iraq, which is based on a controversial anti-war article published in The London Review of Books. The New play, which wil be staged at the Pleasance, will see him portray an Iraqi soldier offering controversial facts and opinions about the war. Speaking about the role, he admitted his own experiences had prompted him to join the cast. "I was there when the first Gulf War was fought and it is still very fresh in mind, " Alsamari said. - By Adrian Mather (THE SCOTSMAN)

~ July 2006 ~

For full article click

'BRITISH ACTOR STOLE TO SAVE IRAQI FAMILY' - How 911 Film Star freed parents: A BRITISH-based Iraqi actor who plays an Al-Qaeda terrorist in a new film about the 9/11 attacks has revealed how he stole thousands of pounds to help his family escape torture and possible death at the hands of Saddam Hussein's secret police. - By David Leppard (THE SUNDAY TIMES)

~ 07 May2006 ~

For featured article click

'UNITED 93 ACTOR'S GREAT ESCAPE': When he was in New York last he shared with me some of the details of his escape; some had to remain off the record for various reasons, but I can tell you that the full story of Lewis going AWOL and escaping to Britain will one day make a gripping book. - Reviewed by David Feraci (CHUD.COM)

~ April 2006 ~

For full article click

Film & TV Industry commentary

Rupert Wyatt (Director) Picture Farm / Channel 4

"It is without doubt that I would have not been able to achieve the authenticity needed in what was an extremely complicated scene without Lewis's superb performance alongside

Brian Cox. Lewis had powerful presence and natural ability as well as an unflagging energy in what were very harsh conditions. I am extremely grateful to him for making the scenes work"

(Get the Picture 2004)

Stephen Bennett (Producer) BBC

"Lewis was great to work with. He was at all times focused on his role; yet still found time to be fun and relaxed on set"

(Black Septeber 2003)