It’s not hyperbole when TIFF-bound actor Saad Siddiqui says
Inescapable “is relevant to our times.”
The thriller, which has a gala presentation Sept. 11 at
6:30pm at Roy Thomson Hall, follows Adib (Alexander Siddig) back to his native
Syria to find his missing daughter. When the regime discovers he was once a key
player in the resistance movement, he’s forced to take up arms again.
Siddiqui relished playing an agent in the secret police.
“I’ve done a bunch of bad guys before, if you call them bad,” he says. “As an
actor I don’t judge my characters. I have to find justifications for them.”
It’s a familiar role for Siddiqui, who has been a government
agent or cop in such made-in-Toronto series as Alphas, The Listener, and Warehouse
13. “I have a lot of weapons training from my background in martial arts, so
that sometimes gives me a better chance at getting those roles,” he explains.
Born 29 years ago in Pakistan, Siddiqui grew up in New York
and Maryland. He came north to study political science at the University of
Toronto – and decided to stay.
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“I fell in love with Canada. I find it’s very beautiful up
here, I love the people and I don’t mind the snow either. I grew up on the east
coast so I’m used to it,” he says. “Acting is a very tough profession but the
opportunities are here and it’s a great community. “
Siddiqui admits he’s excited about having a film at TIFF and
being able to share the moment with friends and family. “I’ve been going to
TIFF for six or seven years as an audience member and it’s great to finally
have my own film in there,” he says. “Every year I was hoping next year I may
get something in there.”
He hasn’t yet seen Inescapable, which was shot in South Africa
and directed by Montreal-born Ruba Nadda (Cairo Time).
“I’m nervous but it’s just better to watch it with everybody
instead of watching it alone somewhere,” says Siddiqui, adding he’s looking
forward to the business side of TIFF. “I’m really open to it. As actors you
want a project that gets publicity, and you want to get publicity so you can do
other great projects.”
Siddiqui says he’s anxious to make more movies. “I enjoy the
amount of time we get to prepare for a role, to really go deep. Things aren’t
as fast-paced as TV.” He also hopes to get back on stage. “Theatre really
prepares you well for both films and TV.”
Inescapable will be shown Sept. 11 at 6:30pm at Roy Thomson Hall and Sept 13 at 5pm at Scotiabank 1.
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