Motaz Malhees
Motaz Malhees | |
|---|---|
معتز ملحّيس | |
Malhees at the 2025 Zurich Film Festival | |
| Born | 21 December 1992 Jenin, Palestine |
| Alma mater | The Freedom Theatre |
| Years active | 2014–present |
Motaz Malhees (Arabic: معتز ملحّيس; born 21 December 1992) is a Palestinian actor based in London. He starred in the films 200 Meters (2020) and The Voice of Hind Rajab (2025).
Early life
Malhees was born in Jenin.[1][2] At age 16, he left school to audition for the Freedom Theatre's acting school,[3] going on to graduate in 2014.[4]
Career
After beginning his career in theatre,[5] Malhees made his feature film debut starring as Kifah in Ameen Nayfeh's family drama 200 Meters, which premiered at the 2020 Venice International Film Festival.[6] The film later had a wide release on Netflix in 2022.[7] In 2024, Malhees appeared in the horror film Speak No Evil with James McAvoy.[8]
Malhees next starred in Kaouther Ben Hania's docudrama film The Voice of Hind Rajab, which premiered at the 2025 Venice International Film Festival.[9] Malhees portrayed Omar Alaqam, the real-life Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) worker who answered the titular 6-year-old's call for help as she was attacked by the IDF.[10] Although The Voice of Hind Rajab was Academy Award-nominated, Malhees revealed he was unable to enter the U.S. as a Palestinian citizen to attend said awards show in March 2026 due to Donald Trump's travel ban.[11][12]
Malhees has an upcoming role in the Channel 4 drama The Siege.[13]
Personal life
Malhees lives in London.[3]
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | The Crossing | Mohammed | Short film |
| 2020 | 200 Meters | Kifah | |
| The Dream | The Man | Short film | |
| 2021 | The 50th Psalm | Short film | |
| Blacklisted | Basel | Short film | |
| 2022 | Hamza: Chase the Ghost Chasing Me | Short film | |
| 2024 | Speak No Evil | Muhjid | |
| 2025 | The Voice of Hind Rajab | Omar A. Alaqam | |
| TBA | The Siege |
References
- ^ ""Borders Can Stop a Body, but They Can't Stop a Voice": Motaz Malhees on The Voice of Hind Rajab and Missing the Oscars". Icon MENA. Retrieved 14 March 2026.
- ^ Rusk, Lynn (15 January 2026). "Palestinian actor feared reaction to award-winning Gaza docudrama". London Evening Standard. Retrieved 14 March 2026.
- ^ a b Haris, Ruqaiya (21 October 2025). "The Voice of Hind Rajab, a Palestinian drama moving audiences to tears". Dazed. Retrieved 14 March 2026.
- ^ "Graduation and Memorial". The Freedom Theatre. 7 April 2014. Retrieved 14 March 2026.
- ^ Kaloti, Husam (26 November 2018). "Grey Rock". The Freedom Theatre. Retrieved 14 March 2026.
- ^ Weissberg, Jay (11 September 2020). "'200 Meters' Review: Family Drama Meets Road Movie in Palestine". Variety. Retrieved 15 February 2022.
- ^ "Palestinian actor Motaz Malhees co-stars in new Netflix film 200 Meters". El-Shai. 4 February 2022. Retrieved 14 March 2026.
- ^ Noraas, Dana (13 September 2024). "'Speak No Evil' Cast Guide - Who Stars as James McAvoy's Prey". Collider. Retrieved 14 March 2026.
- ^ "فيتوغيت — معتز ملحيس يرفع العلم الفلسطيني داخل قاعة عرض "صوت هند رجب" في فينيسيا". Vetogate. 3 September 2025. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
- ^ Blanchet, Ben (13 March 2026). "Palestinian Actor Motaz Malhees Talks 'The Voice of Hind Rajab'". HuffPost. Retrieved 14 March 2026.
- ^ Osman, Josh (13 March 2026). "Palestinian Actor Motaz Malhees on 'The Voice of Hind Rajab' and Why He Can't Be At The Oscars". Esquire. Retrieved 14 March 2026.
- ^ Parkel, Inga (13 March 2026). "Star of Oscar-nominated film says he's unable to attend ceremony because of Trump's travel ban". The Independent. Retrieved 14 March 2026.
- ^ Goldbart, Max (12 February 2026). "'The Voice Of Hind Rajab' Star & Danny Dyer Cast In Channel 4 Drama About Iranian Embassy Siege". Deadline. Retrieved 14 February 2026.