Saudi actress Dina Shihabi used social media this week to advertise her most recent movie, "Catching Dust," which is scheduled to premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York on June 11. The 96-minute feature, directed by Stuart Gatt, revolves around Geena, an artist tired of her controlling partner and the desert life. Just as she contemplates leaving, a new couple arrives at the commune from New York, seeking a fresh start. As tensions rise and attempts at connection unravel, both couples find themselves on the brink of disaster. Shihabi appears in the film alongside American actress Erin Moriarty, who plays Geena, and Australian actors, Jai Courtney and Ryan Corr.
In addition to her film endeavors, Shihabi is set for a busy summer with the premiere of her latest series, "Painkiller," on Netflix on August 10. The miniseries explores the causes and consequences of America's opioid crisis. Shihabi shared stills from the series on Instagram, expressing her excitement for viewers to watch the show. The cast includes Canadian actor Taylor Kitsch and American actors Matthew Broderick and Uzo Aduba.
"Painkiller" is based on Barry Meier's book, "Pain Killer: An Empire of Deceit and the Origin of America's Opioid Epidemic," as well as a New Yorker article by Patrick Radden Keefe titled "The Family That Built an Empire of Pain." US directors Eric Newman, Peter Berg, and Alex Gibney served as executive producers of the series, which was conceived by US screenwriter Micah Fitzerman-Blue and actor/writer Noah Harpster.
Shihabi, born in Riyadh, spent part of her childhood in Dubai. Her father is Saudi Norwegian journalist Ali Shihabi, while her mother, Nadia, is of Palestinian, German, and Haitian descent. She moved to the US in 2007 and made history as the first Middle Eastern-born woman accepted into the Juilliard School and New York University's graduate acting program. Shihabi's breakthrough came in 2017 with her role as Hanin in the series "Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan."
Speaking to Arab News, Shihabi shared advice for aspiring actors, emphasizing the importance of hard work, determination, and passion. She encouraged them to collaborate with like-minded individuals and never stop striving for their goals, as the entertainment industry requires constant effort.
Dina Shihabi continues to make waves in the film and television industry, showcasing her talent and dedication to her craft.
