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Ramy Youssef is experiencing a unique period in his life. He is preparing for his debut in a major film, Poor Things, which is known for its unconventional and provocative themes. This marks the start of a new chapter in his professional journey after the success of his comedy-drama series, Ramy. However, amidst all of this, the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict is taking over headlines. Being a well-known Muslim performer, Youssef is under intense scrutiny.
The paths of these two individuals intersected on a day in December. Youssef recently gained attention in the media after Taylor Swift, along with famous companions Selena Gomez and Cara Delevingne, attended his standup show in New York. In a generous gesture, Youssef has decided to donate all profits from his remaining standup tour to the Palestinian NGO American Near East Refugee Aid. However, this did not sit well with right-wing host Megyn Kelly who demanded an apology from Swift for attending Youssef’s show and suggested boycotting her events until she apologizes. Kelly also criticized Swift for lacking knowledge on certain issues.
Never mind that it was actually Youssef doing the talking, not Swift – it’s an illustration of how difficult it is for him to simply enjoy his rising stardom. As we talk at a London hotel, saccharine Christmas music playing in the background, the conversation often lurches between lighthearted and deadly serious, although anyone who has watched Ramy will know that Youssef is well accustomed to this mode.
He expresses little interest in the Megyn Kelly controversy, leaning in on the sofa. He does not want to see innocent people being used for political gain and turning it into something else, so he does not dwell on it. He refers to Swift as a new acquaintance and describes her as funny and cool.
It may be easy to assume that Youssef’s real-life persona mirrors that of Ramy, the character he portrays on television. However, after five years and three seasons, the two identities have begun to diverge even further. While “Ramy” is a lovable but directionless New Jersey millennial who still lives with his immigrant parents and works for his gem-trading uncle, he constantly struggles to reconcile his Muslim upbringing with Western values. Despite his charming demeanor, he often falls short of overcoming his shallow desires (which he uses to his advantage with the ladies). According to Youssef, the show delves into the contrast between one’s ideal self and their true self.
Youssef, who is 32 years old, has transitioned from being an actor and comedian to also being a successful writer, producer, and director. Aside from creating episodes for his own show, he has even directed an episode of The Bear. He has received recognition and praise for his work, and now enjoys the company of celebrities like Taylor Swift and model Bella Hadid (who had a guest appearance on his show Ramy). Youssef has also made the leap to the big screen, where he can be seen starring alongside Mark Ruffalo and having a humorous moment with Emma Stone.
Youssef’s initial concerns about joining the movie set were eased after participating in “crazy theatre games” organized by director Yorgos Lanthimos for three weeks prior to filming. According to Youssef, the rehearsals helped to eliminate any feelings of impostor syndrome among the cast. He explains, “By the time we started filming, we had already embarrassed ourselves so much during the rehearsals that there was nothing left to fear.” When asked about the nature of these games, Youssef responds, “They were physical activities like rolling on the floor and performing interpretive dances on cue. These were things that you wouldn’t normally do in front of your improv group, but now you’re doing them in front of someone like Willem Dafoe.”
He characterizes the creation of Poor Things as “a surreal dream”, which accurately captures the essence of the film itself. Based on Alasdair Gray’s 1992 novel, and taking place in an alternate 1880s Europe, the movie is a unique blend of gothic horror and absurdist comedy, with a strong feminist perspective. The bold protagonist, Bella, is an experiment of Dafoe’s eccentric scientist, who embarks on a journey of both intellectual and sexual discovery. Youssef portrays Max, a kind-hearted individual who is tasked by Dafoe to observe and eventually marry Bella – although things do not go according to plan. Youssef reflects on his character, stating “There is a delicate balance between him being genuine and him being unsettling”, adding “I felt confident in my ability to navigate this.”
While primarily taking place in Britain, the main actors in Poor Things are all American. On set, there was a memorable moment when Christopher Abbott (who portrays Alfie) exclaimed, “Dude, it’s usually the Brits playing Americans. But now we’re doing it!” He was extremely pleased with this role reversal. Youssef delivers an impressive English accent, which he attributes to his close friendship with a British Cypriot from Barnet in north-west London. He notes, “I realized as I worked on the accent, ‘Oh, I’m imitating him.'”
Going beyond his role as Ramy was always a part of the plan. “I’ve been very lucky with how well the show has been received, but I also had a feeling in the back of my mind that my name is Ramy and I’m portraying Ramy,” he explains. “But there’s a whole other level of acting where you fully embody a character.”
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At the age of 20, Youssef left university to attend acting school in New York. However, his initial attempts at a career were unsuccessful. According to him, during auditions, he faced uncertainty about how he fit into roles. He was not considered “ethnic enough” for certain parts and there was confusion about whether he could play the lead or a supporting character. This ambiguity about his abilities was a constant struggle.
During the 2000s in the United States, actors who appeared to be of Arab descent were often only offered roles as terrorists. Youssef, who was 10 years old when the September 11th attacks occurred, experienced a sudden change in his life as a Muslim American. In an episode of his show Ramy, he incorporated his childhood memories, such as nightmares about Osama bin Laden, and the development of his sexuality during this time. He once stated that the 9/11 attacks and his first time masturbating happened in the same year.
He began performing stand-up comedy during his high school years, often with his close friend Steve Way, who also appears as one of his best friends in Ramy and has muscular dystrophy. Looking back, he reflects, “I’m not sure how funny I was as a kid. I think I was more emotional than humorous. But when I started creating things, the humor came as a surprise to me.” He enjoyed filming and editing videos, making music videos, and writing sketches with his friends. Eventually, he realized he should also be in the videos, and discovered a new side of himself. However, he admits that he is probably the least funny person in his family. His mother, who can effortlessly make jokes in Arabic, English, and French, is the funniest person he knows. Both of his parents were born in Cairo but met in New York, where his grandfather worked as a UN interpreter for 30 years, before they settled in New Jersey.
The adversity of his upbringing at least gave him a trove of material. In his first appearance on network TV, on Stephen Colbert’s show in 2017, he began by saying: “Hi, I’m Ramy Youssef. I’m Muslim … like, from the news,” before joking that when he turned 30 he expected to get “a Hogwarts letter from Isis”.
One of the notable strengths of the show Ramy is its ability to avoid cheap laughs and instead focus on depth and authenticity. It serves as a glimpse into a reality and perspective that has not been widely portrayed in mainstream media – the complexities of family, integration, prejudices, sex, sexuality, gender, guilt, and shame. Some have criticized the show for perpetuating stereotypes, but Youssef clarifies that he never intended to speak on behalf of an entire culture or religion. He acknowledges that it is nearly impossible to fully represent such a diverse community and can only claim to represent the messy journey of self-discovery.
While Ramy may have its own unique details, there are certain aspects that are relatable to many people. Youssef shares, “I’ve had numerous individuals come up to me and say, ‘Your family is just like mine in Ohio or Jamaica,’ or ‘Your uncle Naseem, who is an extreme antisemite, reminds me of my own uncle who is Jewish and dislikes Muslims.'”
The prevalence of this mindset is widespread. The United States is known for its diverse range of beliefs, including both liberal and conservative ideologies, which are not confined to specific regions. Even if you travel just 30 minutes outside of a city, you may encounter views that seem far from your own. However, despite this, people still tend to group others based on factors such as where they live or their nationality, from supposedly dangerous neighborhoods to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine.
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Several people that Youssef works with have family ties to Palestine. This includes Mohammed Amer, who was born to Palestinian parents in Kuwait and plays one of Youssef’s friends, and Hiam Abbass, who plays his mother and has French Palestinian roots. Additionally, one of his co-stars, Hadid, has Dutch and Palestinian heritage. Youssef acknowledges that many people, including some of his colleagues and American acquaintances with relatives in Gaza, feel very unsafe due to the ongoing conflict.
In the middle of 2022, Youssef directed an episode for the third season of Ramy in Israel and Palestine. He collaborated with Palestinian actors and crew members, during a politically charged period. Youssef remembers the tense atmosphere, as they were there when Palestinian American journalist Shireen Abu Aqleh was fatally shot by Israeli forces. The entire production attended her funeral.
In the latest episode, the geopolitics take a backseat as Ramy focuses on his own selfish goal of sneaking into East Jerusalem to meet up with a Tinder date. He confidently presents his American passport to border security in an attempt to skip the line, causing anger from both Palestinians and Israelis. According to Youssef, the intention was to shed light on this aspect of Ramy’s privilege as an American. The goal was to highlight the complexities and discomfort that arise from this dynamic, while also acknowledging personal responsibility and complicity in it. Youssef believes this is the most thought-provoking approach to addressing these issues.
He constantly strives to personalize the vast, worldwide matters that seem beyond our control. He ponders the government dynamics present in his relationships with friends and family.
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Youssef’s personal life is heading in a positive direction, with his success growing from posting flyers for his gigs at age 17 to becoming a highly sought after performer among A-listers. He continues to expand his cultural influence through acting, with a second standup special for HBO and the renewal of his sitcom “Mo” for a second season. Additionally, he is working on an animated series titled “#1 Happy Family USA” with writer Pam Brady, which satirizes the struggles of a Muslim American family trying to fit in during the early 2000s. Youssef reflects on how the show, originally meant to examine the past, now feels like a commentary on the present.
The conversation is suddenly brought back to reality. Youssef reflects on the increase of Islamophobia after the horrific attacks by Hamas in October. He is appalled by the way people are quick to dehumanize and demonize Arab men, assuming the worst of their actions towards others, particularly towards Arab women. He is also troubled by the fact that these same people may live in the same neighborhood or receive services from Arab individuals, yet still hold negative beliefs about them. Youssef expresses both surprise and lack of surprise at this phenomenon.
However, he remains determined to not succumb to hopelessness. He maintains an optimistic outlook and acknowledges the current state of distress, with innocent individuals being harmed and a collective shock response. Despite this, he believes that we will still be able to engage in genuine and fearless conversations, and this is where art can play a crucial role in breaking through fear.
The film Poor Things will be shown in theaters in the UK and Ireland starting on Friday, January 12th.
Source: theguardian.com
