Armenian Dramatic Arts Alliance

Wise Quote: "Simon Abkarian told me that he would watch a director to borrow his rhythms and gestures, to guess, understand and anticipate his expectations, to perform for him."

Simon Abkarian was born March 5, 1962 in Gonesse, France and grew up in France and Lebanon. He trained as a dancer with the LORI ensemble in Beirut and the ANTRANIK Company in New York. He also studied mask work and the Commedia dell'Arte with Georges Bigot in Los Angeles. He had a lengthy collaboration with Ariane Mnouchkine and the Théâtre du Soleil, playing leading roles in Greek tragedies and becoming known for his charismatic performances. In 2001 he received the Prix Molière, the highest accolade in French theatre for an actor, for his performance in Une Bête Sur La Lune (directed by Irina Brook). He has also directed several plays including an acclaimed production of Titus Andronicus (2003). In YES (2005), a Sally Potter film recently released in the U.S., Abkarian plays a Middle Eastern man involved in a passionate love affair with an American woman (Joan Allen), a story in which the lovers confront some of the greatest conflicts of our generation – religious, political and sexual. YES is Simon Abkarian's first leading film role in the English language. www.yesthemovie.com

MOVIES
J'AI TU VUER BEN BARKA (2005) France/Morrocco

ZAÏNA, CAVALIÈRE DE L'ATLAS (2005)

DÉMON DE MIDI, LE (2005) .... Julien Cestac

DANS TES RÊVES (2005) .... Wilson

MAUVAIS JOUEURS, LES (2005) .... Sahak

VE'LAKHTA LEHE ISHA (2004) .... Eliahou ... aka Prendre femme (France), To Take a Wife (International: English title)

YES (2004)

NI POUR, NI CONTRE (BIEN AU CONTRAIRE) (2003) .... Lecarpe ... aka Not for or Against (International: English title)

LÉGENDE DE PARVA, LA (2003) (voice) .... Le swami

ARAM (2002) .... Aram

THE TRUTH ABOUT CHARLIE (2002) .... Lt. Dessalines ... aka Wahrheit über Charlie, Die (Germany)

UN MONDE PRESQUE PASIBLE (2002) .... Albert ... aka Almost Peaceful (International: English title)

ARARAT (2002) .... Arshile Gorky

UNE BÊTE SUR LA LUNE (2001) (TV)

LILI LILI (1999) .... Simon

PETITE MAMAN, LA (1997) (TV) .... Dan

J'IRAI AU PARADIS CAR L'ENFER EST ICI (1997) .... Simon

SILENCE DE RAK, LE (1997) .... Le second consommateur

TEMPÊTE DANS UN VERRE D'EAU (1997) ... aka Tempest in a Teapot

CHACUN CHERCHE SON CHAT (1996) .... Carlos ... aka When the Cat's Away (USA)

3000 SCENARIOS CONTRÉ UN VIRUS (1994) .... (segment "Poisson Rouge") ... aka 3,000 Scenarios to Combat a Virus

ANA EL AWAN (1994) .... Camille ... aka Histoire d'un retour ... aka Time Has Come

POISSON ROUGE (1994) .... Un client

RIENS DU TOUT (1992) .... Danseur grec ... aka Little Nothings

AU FIL DE MA VIE (1991)

NUIT MIRACULEUSE, LA (1989) (TV)

CE QUI ME MEUT (1989)