**Palestinian Comedian Mo Amer on His Semi-Autobiographical Netflix Show**
Mo Amer, a Palestinian comedian, has spoken out about his feelings towards the Netflix hit show based on his life. In an interview with BBC Newsbeat, he revealed that making the show was “very difficult” and brought up mixed emotions of pride and hurt.
The show, titled Mo, is a semi-autobiographical account of Amer’s life as a Palestinian refugee trying to gain US citizenship through a complex immigration process. Amer played the role of Mo Najjar, a character based on himself.
**Overcoming Emotional Challenges**
Amer said that making the show was “very draining” due to the emotional intensity involved in reliving his experiences on screen. He also faced another challenge – deciding on the date for the second season.
The episode depicting Amer’s trip to his family house in the West Bank was originally set for October 7, 2023. However, just a day earlier, Hamas launched an unprecedented cross-border attack on Israel, killing over 1,200 people and taking over 250 hostages.
**Avoiding Sensitivity**
Mo said that it was “very deliberate” to avoid depicting the actual date of the attack in the show. He wanted to focus on the story and characters, rather than sensationalizing a specific event.
Amer emphasized that the show is “grounded in humor” and aims to highlight the complexities of life as a Palestinian refugee. By focusing on the everyday struggles and experiences, he hoped to avoid perpetuating negative stereotypes.
**Representation and Pressure**
Mo feels that there is a lack of representation for Palestinians on TV and in film, which puts more pressure on him to get it right. He believes that his role as a spokesperson for the Palestinian community comes with great responsibility.
Amer hopes that his show can contribute to ongoing conversations about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and promote greater understanding and empathy.
**Never Losing Hope**
Despite the challenges and sensitivities involved, Mo Amer remains hopeful about the future. He encourages people to manage their expectations and continue engaging in dialogue and conversation about the complex issues at hand.
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