Press & Reviews
“Isra Elsalihie makes Maryam strong and determined, a survivor who bears the internal scars of a punishing history, but is unwavering in her determination to take full control of her life in a new land.”
“Isra Elsalihie is excellent as Maryam, who has taken to the States and its individualist philosophy with no apologies and no reservations.”
““Elsalihie is strong as the independent student who is more modern-minded than either Noura or Tareq could have anticipated.” ”
“Isra Elsalihie— in the difficult role of playing a mysterious child— is a revelation.”
“Often in horror films, we forget about the gravity of death because of the genre’s nature. Isra brought a truthfulness to her character that allowed the audience a more intimate access to her.” ”
Playbill: West Coast Premiere of Heather Raffo’s Noura Finds Its Cast
I will be performing in the role of Maryam in the West Coast premiere of Noura written by Heather Raffo. Noura will be playing 20 Sep- 20 October at the Old Globe and is directed by Johanna McKeon. Read the article below.
NBC: A Personal Reflection on Modern Marriage and Motherhood in ‘Noura’
Our playwright Heather Raffo talks to NBC San Diego about our production of Noura!
Playwrights Realm Bestows Its International Theatermakers Awards
In 2021 myself and four other recpients received Playwrigths Realms prestigious International Theatremaker award! Read full announcement and details about the award in American Theatre Magazine below.
Berlinale Talents 20th Edition: The Talents of 2022
I had the honor and joy of being selected for Berlinale Talents 2022, which is a talent development program for the world’s top 200 emerging filmmakers!
From the press release: “The emerging Talents also give proof of their courage in their search for their own identity and responsibility as storytellers, as social sustainability in contemporary society. Through their participation in Berlinale Talents, their collective goal is to conquer more space for artistic freedom or to place their works on the market with innovative concepts as the already well-established creators and curators they are.”
San Digeo Union Tribune Review
“Isra Esalihie is plucky and tough as the war-hardened Maryam, a newly-arrived and pregnant Mosul refugee with family connections”
Huffington Post Review
Huffington Post wrote a glowing review of Anne Frank in the Gaza Strip and my work in it, where I had the pleasure of playing Mary/Majidah!
Interview with Sveriges Radio (Sweden’s Radio) with myself and director Per Öhagen on our work in Hemma Hos
Click below to listen to the full interview with Sveriges Radio, the equivalent of the American National Public Radio, NPR.
24 Hour Plays: Nationals 2017 - Broadwayworld
Each summer, the 24 Hour Plays partners with the New School for Drama to bring together the best 25-and-under actors, directors, playwrights and producers for an intensive professional experience. The competition for a spot was particularly fierce in 2017 and I feel very grateful to be a part of it and honored to be following in the footsteps of my acting idols.
Babe.net Interview
Following the release of The Invaders, I was interviewed by Babe.net interviewed about the film, what my process is like and plans for the future!
Backstage Magazine & Backstage.com
For the July 27th, 2017 issue of Backstage Magazine and its online edition, I was featured in their #IGotCast section for my work on The Invaders among other projects!
Times of San Diego Review: A Refugee Family’s Discomforting American Journey in ‘Noura’ at The Old Globe
Another great interview by Pat Launer!
BWW Review: NOURA at The Old Globe Explores When the Past and Future Collide
“Elsalihie is strong as the independent student who is more modern minded than either Noura or Tareq could have anticipated.”
Review of Hemma Hos at Angereds Teater
Read this raving review of our production Hemma Hos starring yours truly in Göteborgs-Posten one of Sweden’s most well-established and revered newspaper. It is however in Swedish!
Chazz Palminteri, Sachi Parker, Misha Osherovich and More Win 2017 Planet Connections Awards
For my performance in Anne Frank in the Gaza Strip, I won Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy at Planet Connections Awards and was featured in BroadwayWorld alongside some of the other Winners such as Academy Award nominee Chazz Palminteri.
Theater Review: "Noura"
“Isra Elsalihie is excellent as Maryam, who has taken to the States and its individualist philosophy with no apologies and no reservations.”
Old Globe Season Includes Almost Famous Musical, Jitney, Noura, Plus New Michael John LaChiusa Musical
Excited to be a playing Maryam in Old Globe’s production of Noura, sharing the 2019-2020 season with such heavy hitters!
San Diego Reader: Noura need not be compared to Ibsen’s A Doll’s House
“The tale is replete with familial conflict, and the way those conflicts play out”
The Buzz: “Home” is Always With Us. An Interview with Iraqi-American Playwright, Heather Raffo.
“However, unlike many Hollywood productions, Raffo said she seeks to go beyond the dual stereotypes of Middle Eastern characters…”
KGFC Festival Talks Podcast
Myself, Director Mateo Marquez and DP Mike Gialloreto talk about our various processes and the making of The Invaders.
Eye for Film Review of The Invaders
Another great review!
“Elsalihie is good in the central role, conveying not just terror but the sense of despair that comes from knowing there's nowhere to run, something that clearly applies more broadly and not just to her immediate situation.” - Jennie Kermode
Mvslim.com Interview
Check out this spread and interview with The Invaders Creator Mateo Marquez in Mvslim.com
Mvslim.com is online Magazine that covers news, politics, culture and entertainment, especially related to the Muslim community. Our article was marked as trending/hot on the site!
Isra Elsalihie, lead actor in "The Invaders," discusses the film and her experiences as an actor with Bill LeVasseur.
Colorado Springs Independent
The Invaders was the only short film featured in the publication alongside other favorites such as Jennifer Morrison’s directorial debut film Sun Dogs.
Fern TV: FANTASIA 2018: THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT THE INVADERS…
This is what director Mateo Marquez had to say about casting yours truly!
“It was important to me to cast an actress who not only could instill the horror and fear felt by the victim, but also her humanity. Often in horror films, we forget about the gravity of death because of the genre’s nature. Isra brought a truthfulness to her character that allowed the audience a more intimate access to her.” – Mateo Marquez
Noor Theatre 48 Hour Forum
I had the joy of performing in Red Ballon written by Aeneas Sagar Hemphill and directed by the incredible Jessica Blank in Noor Theatres 48 Hour forum.
Noor Theatre is an Obie-winning company dedicated to supporting & developing the work of theatre artists of Middle Eastern descent.
Casting Announced For Playwrights For A Cause Benefit
This years show will include world premieres by Lucy Thurber, Luc Migdalia Cruz, Gabrielle Fox and Catherine Filloux. This year I will be understudying for Regina Taylor's play Any Other Name, directed by Shira-Lee Shalit.
The National Student Rave Review
“The Invaders” tackles Islamophobia, and is what the world needs right now.” - The National Student'
DramaQueen review
We got a sweet little review of Anne Frank in the Gaza Strip by Natasha Dawsen!
Morbidly Beautiful
"In light of the heated rhetoric of today’s politics, more stories like THE INVADERS are needed and should be required viewing by as many people as possible. It is through the lens of film and art that we get a view into parts of society we may not otherwise have exposure to." - Patrick Kruse
Dread Central
Following the release of The Invaders on the Horror Platform Alter, we received a glowing review from Dread Central!
Culture Vulture Review of Noura
“Noura is a powerful, drama from a young playwright who is clearly worth watching.”
The team behind the short film, "The Invaders," are interviewed by TV8 Vail. From left, lead actor Isra Elsalihie, and producer Claudia Murdoch.
Lakewood Sentinel Interview at the 15th Annual Vail Film Festival
The Invaders were featured alongside incredible films such as McGlynn's feature starring Aya Cash!
Pop Horror Write UP
Read Pop Horrors write up about The Invaders and Fantasia International Film Festival 2018 where The Invaders was nominated for best international short!
Nightmarish Conjurings
Devin March at Nightmarish Conjuring did this wonderful piece on The Invaders!
Fear Forever
FILM REVIEW: SMALL GAUGE TRAUMA (FANTASIA 2018)
Check out the full review below!
VIMOOZ
Horror Short Film THE INVADERS Starring Isra Elsalihie to World Premiere at Vail Film Festival
Seed & Spark
Seed&Spark is a film-centric crowdfunding and Video on demand platform launched in 2012. We were featured on Seed & Sparks website as “Hot Crowdfunding Campaigns to Support”, for The Invaders. We reached full funding and gained hundreds of followers granting us some great perks from Seed & Spark. The campaign has finished but remains on the the site, you can check it out below.