By: Anna Martin
In the shadowy depths of cinematic exploration, one name has emerged as a beacon of raw, unfiltered emotion and relentless dedication—Junes Zahdi. Hailing from Germany, Zahdi’s portrayal of Mo in “The Judgment” has captivated audiences worldwide, blending an intricate narrative with a hauntingly real performance.
“When I first read the script for ‘The Judgment,‘ I was immediately 100% in,” Zahdi recalls with palpable enthusiasm. “I wanted the part. I had to be part of telling this story. It was dark, full of as much pain as it was full of love. The script had the perfect balance of hope and despair.” This dichotomy of emotions, coupled with elements of occultism and witchcraft, provided Zahdi with a unique canvas to explore societal judgment and personal identity.
At its core, “The Judgment” is a profound commentary on social acceptance and internal conflict. “The main theme to me is definitely societal judgment, as the title indicates. It’s about acceptance and lack thereof simply based on who we are. The story is about love and shame, internal and external,” Zahdi explains. His portrayal of Mo’s struggles against societal norms and personal demons resonates deeply, offering a mirror to the audience’s own experiences and struggles with self-acceptance and external validation.
Receiving the script from Hamza Saman at Arab American Casting was a pivotal moment for Zahdi. “Hamza really has a special talent for which actor is right for which project. The story bible already drew me in, and when I read the script and went through all of the emotions, I just knew that this was going to be a life-changing experience if I got the chance to play it.” This trust in the casting process and the collaborative effort of the entire team is what allowed Zahdi to deliver a performance that is both vulnerable and powerful.
Preparing for such an emotionally demanding role was not without its challenges. “The challenges and stakes in the script scared me, which is also what excited me so much,” Zahdi admits. Despite the difficulties, including the economic challenges in Lebanon during filming, Zahdi’s immersion in the real locations and the support of a stellar cast helped him push his boundaries. Zahdi reminisced, “We had a very intense shooting schedule, low budget, challenges around working electricity and availability of gasoline, but we all made due and created a beautiful film that we are all beyond proud of.”
Zahdi’s connection with the film’s director and cinematographer further enhanced the storytelling. “The director and cinematographer knew each other from Film School years prior and were truly a dream team. The cinematographer had a fantastic ability to bring the writer/director’s strong vision to life. He played a lot with different colors and symbols.” This synergy allowed Zahdi and his co-stars to deliver performances that felt authentic and captivating.
One of the most memorable aspects of the production was the camaraderie on set. “Despite this being a very dark drama, we had so many moments where we were all laughing so hard, tears and snot were just all over our faces,” Zahdi fondly recalls. These lighter moments provided a necessary balance to the intense emotional scenes, creating an environment where the cast could fully inhabit their characters.
The film’s reception has been overwhelmingly positive, with audiences deeply moved by its themes. “There were some audiences who had very emotional reactions and told us that it paralleled some of their own experiences,” Zahdi shares. Winning the “audience favorite” award at several festivals further cemented the film’s impact.
Looking ahead, Zahdi is set to continue his artistic journey with a range of upcoming projects, including “Absolute Dominion,” “Wicked Game,” and “The Color of Justice.” Each project explores different facets of human experience and societal issues, from a political martial arts drama to systemic racism and brutal warfare.
“I hope that ‘The Judgment’ will find distribution that allows access to the film for audiences worldwide,” Zahdi says, his passion for storytelling evident. “This is my favorite aspect of cinema—the ability to recognize ourselves, our pains, or joys through the characters on screen.”
In Junes Zahdi, the film industry has found not just an actor, but a storyteller unafraid to delve into the darkest corners of the human psyche and emerge with tales that challenge, inspire, and ultimately, unite.
Published by: Holy Minoza
