ARSINÉE KHANJIAN
Sabah
Genie and Gemini Award-winning actor Arsinée Khanjian recently starred as the troubled art historian Ani in Atom Egoyan’s critically acclaimed ARARAT for which she (Genie Award for Best Actress and Best Actress by the Durban International Film Festival in South Africa). Internationally, her screen-work also includes a starring role in Catherine Breillat’s highly provocative A MA SOEUR! (aka FAT GIRL); two feature films for Olivier Assayas: IRMA VEP and LATE AUGUST, EARLY SEPTEMBER as well as Michael Haneke's CODE INCONNU, opposite Juliette Binoche. Arsinée was also in Don McKellar's debut feature LAST NIGHT. Most recently, Khanjian starred in the upcoming feature SABAH aka COLDWATER. Khanjian is best known in North America for her ongoing collaboration with her husband, filmmaker Atom Egoyan, in whose features she has played important parts. Her roles have included the pregnant club-owner in EXOTICA; the anguished hippie mother in the Oscar®-nominated THE SWEET HEREAFTER, (for which she shared a special award for Ensemble Acting from the National Board of Review), and a remarkable star turn as an ultra-glamorous cooking show host (and mother) in FELICIA'S JOURNEY. She also co-produced as well as starred with Egoyan in the award-winning CALENDAR.
Khanjian's extensive stage-work includes Irina Brook's French-language premiere of Brian Friel's modern classic, DANCING AT LUGHNASA, at the Theatre de Bobigny in Paris and the Theatre de Vidy in Switzerland. Also at the Theatre de Bobigny, she starred in a major new production of Goethe's STELLA, directed by Bruno Bayen. In her home city of Toronto, Khanjian has starred in a number of plays, including two critically acclaimed productions at Theatre Passe-Murraile, BEAST ON THE MOON, directed by Hrant Alianak; WEDDING DAY AT THE CRO-MAGNONS, directed by Banuta Rubes; and Marivaux's COUNTERFEIT SECRETS (LES FAUSSES CONFIDENCES), directed by John Van Burek. Most recently, she starred in Florence Gibson's new play HOME IS MY ROAD, directed by Ken Gass at the Factory Theatre.
On television, Khanjian starred in the CBC drama series, SIDE EFFECTS and in Ken Finkleman’s, series MORE TEARS, FOREIGN OBJECTS, and FOOLISH HEART (Gemini Award for Best Actress and the Best Actress Award from the Cinéma Tout Écran International Cinema and Television Festival in Switzerland). Khanjian has also played Anais Nin for the PBS series, MENTORS, guest-starred on the CBC/Salter Street hit comedy, MADE IN CANADA, and hosted a special presentation on the CBC's OPENING NIGHT.
In addition to her acting credits, Khanjian, with a Master's Degree in
Political Science, has an extensive administrative background in the arts
and governmental affairs, including the Ontario Arts Council, Community
Heritage Advisor for the Ontario Ministry of Culture and Communications
and is a board member of The Power Plant, Canada's leading art gallery.
Awarded to people who have a made a significant contribution to Canada,
Khanjian received the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002. She
was presented with the Queen Zabel Award by the Eastern Prelacy of the
Armenian Apostolic Church of America in 2003. Khanjian was also the recipient
of the Sourp Mesrob Mashdotze Award.. The Medal is given to those
individuals who have shown artistic, historic, and cultural excellence.
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SHAWN DOYLE
Stephen
Shawn Doyle was introduced to acting at an early age. His father, Jerry, was a member of the Carol Players, a travelling theatre group based in the family’s hometown of Wabush, Labrador. Doyle eventually moved to Toronto to study theatre at York University, but he returned home every summer, and landed his first professional acting role in the Stephenville Festival’s production of STEPDANCE. He went on to perform in the Festival’s productions of SONS OF ULSTER, WEST SIDE STORY, DEATH TRAP, and DEMOCRACY.
Doyle has since amassed an impressive list of television, film and stage credits. Doyle is widely known for his leading role as “Dennis Langley” in the Gemini Award-winning series THE ELEVENTH HOUR, and received the 2002 ACTRA award for Outstanding Male performance for his portrayal. In the last year alone, Doyle has guest starred on the CBS drama CSI; FOX’s 24; ABC’s DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES; and the new Steven Bochco pilot for ABC BLIND JUSTICE. He also played the lead opposite Arsinee Khajian in the independent feature film SABAH. This year he will begin shooting a series regular role in the new HBO drama called BIG LOVE with an all star cast including Bill Paxton, Chloe Sevigne, and Jeanne Tripplehorn.
Other film credits include THE MAJESTIC, starring Jim Carrey; DON’T SAY A WORD, with Michael Douglas; CLETIS TOUT, featuring Christian Slater; FREQUENCY, with Dennis Quaid; KNOCKAROUND GUYS, starring John Malkovich, Dennis Hopper and Vin Diesel; Renny Harlin’s LONG KISS GOODNIGHT with Samuel L.Jackson and Geena Davis; and PAPERTRAIL with Jennifer Dale. Doyle also co-starred with his wife, Allegra Fulton, in the short film THE HAGMAN’S BRIDE, which garnered numerous awards including a 1996 Genie for Best Live Action Short and the Gold Award in its category at the Houston International Film Festival.
In 1999, he received a Gemini nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his performance as “McKeighan” in the gritty primetime drama series THE CITY. Also for Television, he starred in Scar Tissue, a made-for-television movie adapted from a book by Michael Ignatieff. He starred in A KILLING SPRING, which earned him a Gemini nomination for Best Actor, opposite Wendy Crewson in CRIMINAL INSTINCT and in VERDICT IN BLOOD, based on the popular murder mysteries by Gail Bowen. He was also featured in the TV movies SLEEPING DOGS LIE, PEACEKEEPERS, and the mini-series DIEPPE.
On stage, Doyle most recently performed GAGARIAN WAY at the DuMaurier World Stage Festival; The Factory Theatre’s productions of PROBLEM CHILD, WHERE IS KABUKI? and DIGGING FOR FIRE; The Young People’s Theatre production of A CHRISTMAS CAROL; Livent’s FABULOUS PARTY and THE HOUSE OF MARIN GUERRE; and Stage West’s production of GREASE.
Shawn Doyle now makes his home in Los Angeles.
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Jeff Seymour has quickly become one of Canada’s most recognizable faces as Kamal Azizi in CTV’s THE ELEVENTH HOUR, which received 14 Gemini nominations last year, its second season. Seymour w as awarded a Gemini for Best Actor in a Dramatic Series for his role as Azizzi during the program’s first season.
Born in Washington, D.C., and raised in Virginia, Jeff Seymour moved to Los Angeles at age 19 to study at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. It was in L.A. that he spearheaded the design and building of the city’s prestigious Gnu Theatre. In the theatre’s 10-year history, Seymour produced, directed, and performed in 30 multi award-winning shows at that venue, including AMERICAN BUFFALO, A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE, BROTHERS, and EL SALVADOR.
Seymour broke into television with appearances on the hit series KNOT’S LANDING and BOSOM BUDDIES. He quickly landed the recurring role of “Lou Santini” in season one of the long-running hit series HILL STREET BLUES; followed by numerous roles on television throughout his 25-year career.
For the big screen, Seymour wrote, directed, and starred in RAVE REVIEW, which garnered a Gold Award for Best Comedy Feature when it premiered at the 1994 Houston International Film Festival. The film went on to earn Gold Awards in its category at the Spain and Portugal International Film Festivals. Seymour’s film credits also include performances in the thrillers THE BURIAL SOCIETY, KARI SKOGLAND’S LIBERTY STANDS STILL, and KILL ME LATER; and the comedy WEDDING BELL BLUES in which he co-starred with Illeana Douglas.
After winning the Gemini for Best Actor, Seymour was immediately cast as one of the regulars on Barna-Alpers’ critical darling, SHOW ME YOURS, a half-hour comedy playing on Showcase and Oxygen networks. While shooting Show Me Yours, Seymour also played a wealthy German-Arab banker on TNT’s THE GRID, and a recurring role on MUTANT X. He followed that by playing Paul Gross’s chief advisor in the upcoming political thriller H2O and just wrapped one of the starring roles in SABAH. Seymour is a talented writer as well. He recently created a half-hour comedy series called Jeff@Work. Seymour is in his third season of The Eleventh Hour and has started his second season of Show Me Yours
Seymour recently received his second Gemini nomination for his work on
The Eleventh Hour.
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FADIA NADDA
Souhaire
Fadia Nadda, now 19 years old, has been appearing in her sister Ruba’s film since the age of 11. She has starred in three feature films: SABAH (2005), UNSETTLED (2001), I ALWAYS COME TO YOU (2000); and 10 short films: AADAN (2004), BLACK SEPTEMBER (1999), I WOULD SUFFER COLD HANDS FOR YOU (1999), DAMASCUS NIGHTS (1998), THE WIND BLOWS TOWARDS ME PARTICULARLY (1998), SO FAR GONE (1998), DO NOTHING (1997), WET HEAT DRIFTS THROUGH THE AFTERNOON (1997), INTERSTATE LOVE STORY (1997) and LOST WOMAN STORY (1997).
Nadda has been profiled in such publications as Toronto Star, Ooh La
La on City TV, The West End Review, The Globe & Mail and The Jerusalem
Report. She has received critical acclaim from film festivals around the
world with such honors as Best actor in an emerging film and best emerging
actor.
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David Alpay made his big screen debut in Atom Egoyan’s ARARAT (which premiered at the 2002 Cannes Film Festival and was the opening night gala at the Toronto International Film Festival). The film won the 2003 Genie Award for Best Picture and his performance garnered a Best Actor Nomination. Alpay recently worked on Ruba Nadda’s feature film, SABAH which is debuting at the Rotterdam International Film Festival. Other recent work includes the lead role in the CBC mini series WHISKEY ECHO, a recurring role on the critically acclaimed Rhombus/TMN series SLINGS & ARROWS and a guest spot on the Lifetime series WILD CARD.
Alpay graduated from the University of Toronto with an Honors Degree
in Human Biology and Zoology and a minor in French, and is now completing
his Masters in the History of Medicine. Since 1994, he has been the principal
violinist for the Canadian Dance Tapestry, a group that showcases traditional
Canadian music in festivals around the world. Prior acting experience
includes performing the role of the tramp in a university production of
Chekhov's classic THE CHERRY ORCHARD.
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In addition to her regular role as prosecutor Pamela Menon on CBC’s
THIS IS WONDERLAND, Winslow has recently finished working on two features
– Ruba Nadda’s SABAH and WHERE THE TRUTH LIES, a new thriller
by Atom Egoyan. This year Winslow also shot episodes of KEVIN HILL (UPN,)
MISSING (Lifetime,) and you can now see her as Vicky Po in WITCHBLADE
every week on Space and on Showtime’s SOUL FOOD. Winslow is also
developing a project inspired by the life of 1940s movie star/producer/writer/director
Ida Lupino, in which she will star.
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Setta Keshishian was born 1953 in Beirut, Lebanon to Armenian parents.
Keshishian has always been active on the Armenian stage and television.
Due to the country’s political uncertainties, she moved to Canada
with her husband and three children in 1987. She pursued her part time
studies at York University majoring in Theatre. In May 2004, she received
Bachelor of Education diploma. Meanwhile, she has never stopped directing
and producing musicals for both children and adults in schools and community
theatres. In 2002 she was the recipient of the Armenian Community Theatre
Achievement Award. Her first supporting role in HOKEES (2000) directed
by Garine Torossian, the award winning of the best Experimenal Film director.
Keshishian played the mother opposite to Arsinée Khanjian the Genie
Award-winning actress. In 2001 Keshishian appeared in ARARAT which cast
her as a wailing mother, a fighter and a quest, directed by the Award-nominated
director Atom Egoyan. In 2004 she starred in Ruba Nadda’s film SABAH
who cast Keshishian as a non-traditional Muslim mother opposite to Arsinée
Khanjian.
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Roula Said is a multi-faceted artist / actor, Middle Eastern dancer,
vocalist and musician. She is one of Canada’s leading lights in
the world of bellydance best known for bringing her unique style to the
arena of world music and fusion. She co-founded the awesome Canadian global
music ensemble Maza Meze with whom she often guests as the featured dancer,
and continues to sing, play and dance with her Arabic music group Doula,
and in numerous projects with her husband David Buchbinder, including
Feast of the East (where Arabic and Eastern European Jewish music meet)
and the amazing Shurum Burum Jazz Circus. She appears as a guest vocalist
on the latest recordings by Jesse Cook and the Flying Bulgar Klezmer Band.
As an actor she has appeared in Atom Egoyan’s CALENDAR, in SARAB,
a short film by Nada El Yassir, DEATH THREAT, another short directed by
Zarqa Nawaz and in MY SCRIPT DOCTOR, a film by Nick Curcin. In 2004, Roula
played Shaheera in the feature film SABAH.
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