Actress Hiam Abbass: Suffering Knows No Borders

Hiam Abbass, an actress of "Succession" fame, has spoken about her deep-seated awareness of human suffering, stating that remaining silent about the pain of innocent people is not an option. Born in Nazareth, Abbass views her commitment to addressing suffering as intrinsic to her identity. She currently stars in director Reed Van Dyk's film "Atonement," which examines the impact of war.

The film, set against the backdrop of the 2003 Iraq conflict, is inspired by real events. It dramatizes the aftermath of a moment of confusion involving U.S. forces that resulted in civilian deaths, focusing on the family affected and the soldier involved. Abbass plays Mariam, the matriarch of the family.

Abbass highlights the film's exploration of suffering from multiple perspectives, acknowledging the pain of both victims and those who inflict harm, often under orders. She views her role as a duty to give voice to those who have experienced injustice, using her platform to foster awareness and understanding.

Regarding her preparation, Abbass chose not to meet the real-life family at the center of the story to maintain imaginative space and focus on universal themes. She emphasized that her performance aims to be true to the characters' emotions, working in tandem with her fellow actors and the filmmaking process to convey their experiences authentically.