Georges Khabbaz
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Georges Khabbaz جورج خباز | |
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Born | |
Occupation(s) | Actor, Writer, Director, Comedian, Musician, Playwright, Producer, Theater Professor |
Years active | 1991-present |
Height | 166 cm (5 ft 5 in) |
Website | www |
Georges Khabbaz (Arabic: جورج خبّاز; born 5 November, 1976) is a Lebanese actor, writer, comedian, musician and theater professor.
He is best known for playing the lead role in Under the Bombs (2007) and Silina. He is also known for writing Ghadi (2013), in which he also played the lead role, and Waynon (2014).
Early life[edit]
Khabbaz was born into a family with a background in the arts. His father, Georges Joubran Khabbaz, gained recognition for his roles in plays such as "Sahriyyi" by Ziad Rahbani, as well as appearances on television in productions like "Les Miserables" and "Youth 73". His mother, Odette Atiyyeh, is also involved in theater, frequently participating in local festivals.
Georges Khabbaz pursued his education at the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, where he obtained a degree in musical comedy. He made his stage debut at the age of four in a school play titled "The Life of St. Maron". His professional theater career began in 1994.
Career[edit]
Films[edit]
In 2006, Georges Khabbaz starred alongside Nada Abou Farhat in the film Under the Bombs (or Sous Les Bombes), directed by Philippe Aractingi. The film utilized real footage of the war and its impact on civilians, following a Muslim woman's search for her son in the aftermath of the 2006 Lebanon War, aided by a Christian taxi driver named Georges Khabbaz. Derek Malcolm of the London Evening Standard praised Khabbaz's performance as "excellent". However, Dave Calhoun of Time Out London criticized the film as "deeply flawed". Selected for the 2008 Sundance Film Festival's World Cinema Dramatic Competition, the film garnered acclaim, with Khabbaz winning Best Actor at the 8th Annual Rotterdam Film Festival. Alain Spira, writing in Paris Match, likened Khabbaz's stature in his country to that of Al Pacino.[1]
In 2008, Khabbaz appeared in the film Silina, directed by Hatem Ali, alongside Duraid Lahham and Myriam Fares. The film retells the operetta Hala and the King, with Khabbaz portraying the King of Silina, who is deceived by his courtiers into proposing to a poor woman under false pretenses.[1]
In 2012, Khabbaz wrote and starred in the film Ghadi, directed by Amin Dora and produced by The Talkies. Set in a small coastal town, the film follows Leba (Georges Khabbaz), a music instructor, who faces societal rejection when his newborn son, Ghadi, is deemed different. With the help of friends, Leba endeavors to win acceptance for Ghadi from their neighbors, resulting in a heartwarming and redemptive tale. Praised by The Hollywood Reporter for its polished production and optimistic outlook, Ghadi was selected as Lebanon's entry for the foreign-language Oscar race in 2015. The film received numerous accolades, including the Audience Award at the International Film Festival Mannheim-Heidelberg 2014, the KNN Audience Award at the International Busan Film Festival 2014, and the Best Lebanese Movie and Best Cinema Actor awards at the Murex d'Or 2013.[1]
In 2013, Khabbaz wrote the film Waynon (Void), produced by NDU University, depicting the tragedy of the Lebanese Civil War. Waynon has been showcased at various international festivals and has garnered awards such as the Special Jury Award at the Alexandria International Film Festival Egypt 2014, Best Feature at the Silk Road Film Festival 2014, and Best Screenplay at the Malmö Arab Film Festival 2014.[1]
Theater[edit]
- 2005: Msibe Jdideh - مصيبة جديدة (New Calamity)
- 2006: Kezzeb Kbir - كذاب كبير (Big Liar)[1]
- 2007: Hala2 Wa2ta - هلٌق وقتا (It's Time)
- 2008: Chou El Adieh? - شو القضيٌة (What's the Case?)
- 2009: 3al Tari2 - عالطريق ( On the Way )
- 2010: Le Professeur - البروفيسور (The Professor)
- 2011: Matloub - مطلوب (Wanted)
- 2012: El Awwal Bel Saf - الأٌول بالصف (The First in Class)
- 2013: Mech Mekhtelfin - مش مختلفين (We're not Different)
- 2014: Natrino - ناطرينو (Waiting For Him)
- 2014: Rafka - رفقا (Rafka Musical)
- 2014-2015: Wara El Beb - ورا الباب (Behind The Door)
- 2015: Ma3 El Wa2t ... Yemkin - مع الوقت... يمكن(With Time... Maybe)
- 2016: Bel Kawalis - بالكواليس (At The Backstage)
- 2017-2018: Ella Eza - ...إلّا إذا (Unless...)
- 2019: Yawmyet Masrahje - يوميات مسرحجي (The Diaries of a Theater Actor)
Awards[edit]
- Khabbaz has won the Murex d'Or award several times: in 2004 for the top sitcom Abdo w Abdo, in 2006 for an outstanding theatrical play in (Kezzeb Kbir), in 2008 for the outstanding polyvalent artist.,[1] in 2011 for leading actor in (To Yara) and in 2013 for acclaimed cinema actor in Ghadi.
- Best Actor at Rotterdam Film Festival 2008 for his role in Under the Bombs.
- Best Play "Kezzeb Kbir" at Festival de Molière - Paris 2007.
- Best Actor at La Nuit Des Mabrouk 2014 for his role in Ghadi.
- Honorary doctorate degree from USEK-2024