Nilam Farooq plays a student who is confronted with everyday racism. In the interview she describes her own experiences.
From October 28th, Christoph Maria Herbst (55) and Nilam Farooq (32) can be seen in “Contra” on the screen. The socially critical comedy is based on the French model “The brilliant Mademoiselle Neila” (2017). In the German version, Herbst plays the strict professor Richard Pohl. Already on the first day of the first semester student Naima Hamid (Farooq) he exposed her when she entered the lecture hall too late.
“In my culture, punctuality still means something,” says Pohl against the young woman with Moroccan roots. In order to avoid disciplinary proceedings after his multiple xenophobic omissions, the lawyer declares himself ready to prepare the student for a debating competition. Two worlds collide. In an interview with the news agency spot on news, Nilam Farooq speaks about her own experiences with racism in everyday life. The actress was born in Berlin to a Pakistani father and a Polish mother.
In “Contra” you play Naima Hamid, a student who is racially insulted by her professor. Have you already had to experience everyday racism?
Nilam Farooq: I haven’t had too little experience of one kind of racism all my life. But only now in the course of this whole movement and discussion about “Black Lives Matter” has it become clear to me that everyday racism is the right word for it. Before that, I just noticed that some of the statements that I get pounded on the head feel kind of weird. Somehow they set me apart. I didn’t have a name for it, but that was everyday racism back then. It just wasn’t called that.
These were different experiences. Unfortunately, these are often – what makes it so difficult – almost nicely meant things. You always have such beautiful names. Your hair is always so full. And then I sit there and think to myself: am I getting a compliment right now? But who is this ‘you’? Which drawer am I being put in? That is of course difficult. Then I always knew: There was something not cool about this statement, even though it was meant nicely.
How do you react to such situations today?
Farooq: It really depends on the situation, but I usually notice whether someone is actually trying to compliment me and is simply expressing themselves unhappily – or not. I have meanwhile started to ask honestly. I say: “Thank you very much! But what does ‘you’ mean?” And then it often happens that people themselves realize that it was a stupid phrase and they correct themselves. I think that’s the most beneficial, because the greatest learning is when someone notices it for themselves.
The Black Lives Matter movement has made racism an important issue. In your opinion, should racism be discussed even more?
Farooq: I very much hope that it will continue to be a topic. However, I fear that it’s just hype – and the next hype is coming soon. In any case, I also hope that what has now been set in motion will grow like a snowball and not simply ebb away.
In “Contra” you play the leading role alongside Christoph Maria Herbst. What challenges did the role pose for you?
Farooq: The film “Contra” is an amazing honor for me. My character basically carries the whole film and that’s a challenge. What was also difficult for me was the language. My role Naima Hamid comes from a certain milieu in which she already speaks a sophisticated language, but this language improves over the course of the film through training with the professor. That’s why I had rhetoric coaching. My monologues and the many texts in particular were quite a challenge.
How was it for you to play alongside Christoph Maria Herbst?
Farooq: That was totally absurd to me. It was great. Of course, I had tremendous respect. In the course of my career, I have already made the experience that it is sometimes very difficult with seasoned colleagues because they do not give newcomers a chance. Christoph did exactly the opposite. He welcomed me with open arms and was like a mentor to me. I learned a lot from him. Christoph is a very quick and smart person. It worked on all levels.
I was particularly impressed by the way he works and how professional he is. In fact, I found a kind of advisor in him. I can still write to him now if something is wrong and I need his advice, then I always get it honestly and unfiltered.
How did you prepare for the shoot?
Farooq: In the course of researching the film, I went to debating competitions and was surprised at how many clubs there actually are in Germany. I think debating is a good thing that enhances a person’s intellect. It should be given a lot more attention.
It sounds like you’re someone who isn’t averse to conflict …
Farooq: I love arguing. It sounds like I’m a bad person, but I live for the exhilaration. It’s all super dramatic and then you get reconciled again. I can get something out of a nice argument. Above all, respect is important to me. If one starts to ape the other and does not let them finish speaking, for me these are waistlines that one should not go below. I think it’s nice when I notice that it’s an argument on equal terms that is civilized. For me, arguing is not about winning, but about getting closer to the other. Because at the same time I am also a person of harmony.
I often respond to comments online that others would not. I’ve always been like, “So, now I’ll explain my point of view and hope you listen to me and then you can explain your point of view to me.”