Reda Kateb falls deep into the characters he plays on screen. Whether a Romani guitar virtuoso in Django or a Muslim social worker in The Specials, Kateb only cares if the script is compelling.
“I have the sort of look that allows me to pass from one character called Stephane to another who is called Mohammed,” he laughs.
Kateb was born to a French mother and an Algerian father. He grew up in the world of amateur theatre in Paris. There, he quickly fell in love with acting, and went on to play roles of all kinds. His latest character immersion comes in The Specials, which recently debuted at the Cannes Film Festival.
Reda Kateb Stars as Malik in The Specials
In the film, Kateb plays Malik, a married father of three. Malik runs an organization helping troubled youth from disadvantaged backgrounds. He forms an unusual partnership with Bruno, who runs a shelter of his own: this one for children with severe autism who suffer from sudden violent outbursts.
The film reflects the real-life partnership of French social advocates Daoud Tatou and Stephane Benhamou. The story centers around these two main characters’ friendship. One key aspect is how they navigate their respective Muslim and Jewish identities in French society.
The two friends must also carefully navigate French bureaucracy. Malik and Bruno grapple with government inspectors’ hostility to their grassroots efforts to help those without a safety net. The Specials makes a point of presenting the duo’s work with unwanted outcasts as a heroic contrast to the French government’s failure.
Reda Kateb Strives for Authenticity
“I grew up in a creative environment, which was wonderful for a child,” Kateb recalls. “I remember being age four or five and going with my father on tour, watching the rehearsals, and I was hooked.”
Kateb came to view acting as an art where actors must fully connect with every character they play. Frequently, that means hours of extra work. For example, Kateb intensively studied guitar for a year in preparation for his biopic Django.
From spending time in Romani towns for Django to working with genuinely autistic actors and extras in The Specials, the first step in acting for Kateb is to find authentic ways to completely connect with the role.
Staying Fresh in New Roles
With his diverse acting background, Kateb does not seem concerned about pigeonholing himself into any particular category, ethnic or otherwise.
“What’s important for me is to remain free and fresh and to keep renewing myself with projects I find interesting, challenging and want to defend,” he says.
It will be a few more months until the general public can see his latest star turn as Malik. The Specials is due for theatrical release in France only in October. In the meantime, check out Kateb on Netflix in the new release The Wolf’s Call.
