Séries Mania 2025
Malik Kaddu
KABUL
INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION
WORLD PREMIERE
SUN 23 MAR, 2025
TUES 25 MAR, 2025
MAR, 23, 2025
Kabul, August 15, 2021. Amidst the withdrawal of American troops, the Taliban enter the city. The Nazany family, like many civilians, has no choice but to leave the country for fear of retaliation. The country is in turmoil, and the threat of an attack by the Islamic State looms large. French policemen, Italian diplomats, German soldiers and the American secret service all must coordinate their efforts to control the influx of civilians. How can each of them save their own life? The countdown begins.
Ahead of the World Premiere at Séries Mania 2025 in Lille TNC spoke with British actor Malik Kaddu who play's "GI Joe" about his role and being part of this groundbreaking French produced series.
Hi Malik, thank you for taking the time to talk with The New Current. It was great meeting you during the debut HollyShorts Film Festival London, how did you find the festival?
I found HollyShorts a great space for creatives from all over the world to come under one roof and display their work sometimes I’m unsure at times how to take to industry events at times, I never know what to expect, everyone at the event was so welcoming and it was nice to be in a room were everyone is so invested in what everyone is either working on now and for the future. I’m really glad holly shorts has added a sports category submission and I’m working on a project ‘Futsal’ currently that will be submitted at this years holly shorts. Documenting a league and a journey of players that will be performing at next years youth Olympics ion Senegal.
How important are film festivals in being able to provide a platform for creators not only to showcase their work but to meet and start possible collaborations?
film festivals play a key role in creating a network that can advance a creator's career and help realise future endeavours. Also great for where ever you are as a beginner or seasoned vet in your career being able to also see the differences in other creative decisions artistically that could lead to being inspired for upcoming projects.
Furthermore I believe film festivals are also a spring board to future partnerships, funding, and distribution agreements.
You had a private screening in London a few weeks ago for your new series Kabul, what was that like for you being able to see you new project with an invited audience?
To be honest it was a thrill, being to see Thomas and Oliver’s creative writing on the big screen was just unbelievable, I’m grateful to be a part of this series highlighting a historical moment that will never be forgotten. The audience were really gripped and captivated, that was telling after certain scenes that were very raw and brutal to take, you could hear the gasps and feel the tension.
Do you get nervous ahead of a screening?
Yes, because at the time watching I’m just as anxious as the audience, I have no clue how the final edit looks. I just turn up and the rest is inshallah.
Kabul will have its World Premiere at Séries Mania in Lillie, France are you looking forward to sharing this project with such a cinephile audience?
Séries Mania in Lillie is an international film festival dedicated uniquely to televising new series in Europe, so whole the of Europe will be able to lock into Kabul. I’m buzzing honestly we got the heads up that Kabul will be posted all over France which I’m looking forward as well.
Can you tell me a little bit about how you got involved with Kabul, what was it about GI Joe that connected with you as an actor?
I became involved in Kabul by a combination of enthusiasm and timing. The narrative and it’s concepts spoke directly to me, and when the opportunity arose, I couldn't pass it up me and my agent have always spoke about where I wanted my career to go and the kind roles and projects I want be a part of that gives me the opportunity to display my different tools as an actor.
I've always been drawn to complicated, significant roles that push me, and Kabul provided exactly that. GI Joe had a comparable appeal. The character I played had complexity, strength, and vulnerability—all things I enjoy exploring. The action-packed element of GI Joe also allowed me to step into a physically challenging role well it weren’t that challenging as I’m used to being in shape, something I thoroughly appreciate. Both projects allowed me to grow as an actor and a human being as I had to deal and look into everything that happened 2021. While immersing myself in stories with emotional depth and global themes.
Due to the salient nature of the piece how much research do you like to do before getting onto set?
A huge amount with every role, I respect the story especially given that this was a real series of events. I watched documentaries and news channels during the period of the troop attacks in 2021 Afghanistan. Luckily enough for me I live near an army barracks and I was able to train with them (ARMY/ SQUADIES) and get the experience how much and hard their working and pushing themselves. I knew I needed to conduct extensive research before walking onto location.
How challenging is it to detach yourself from a character like GI Joe?
It took me like a weeks or so, sounds funny but it felt weird not holding a air rifle after wrapping. I remember in the heat that we were filming in, Franck Leroy who’s a former militant and works with fire arms onset great guy he told me “Malik you need to treat this rifle like your baby” it was funny at the beginning but I genuinely understood what he meant as the troops were on standby they needed to be alert switched on at all times. At any time shit can go left.
The only part for me to detach was me holding a fire arm, not talk so aggressively haha. Apart from that G.I Joe and my self share the same characteristics in terms of leadership, being on time, practicing discipline, and training which is in my nature.
What was the experience like working with your directors Kasia Adamik and Olga Chajdas?
I liked it because I was never comfortable, they both kept me on my toes which I love. They both made me more focused on the task at hand. Very direct too which works for me I come from a sporty football background so I was used to how straight forward they were being. That constant reminder from Olga and Kasia of what this piece all means and why were all here was imperative as directors their passion trickled down to the whole cast. That ultimately set the tone for what the world is going to watch.
What would you say has been the most valuable lesson you discovered about yourself as an actor during the making of Kabul?
Interesting from an acting perspective, my co-star Gian Marco great guy he told me in his poetic Italian accent Malik ‘Pay attention but don’t concentrate you concentrate to play the game your too serious’ I was confused and he broke down what he meant which I then understood completely basically saying relax and enjoy let everything flow, I was so caught up in just making sure I delivered that I forgot that child in me that first stepped in a drama class had disappeared. To add to this also all the tough times, rejection, life situations, doubters etc I had to go through of it for me to be here in Athens, Greece by the pool. If I gave up and sunk I wouldn’t be here talking to you right now.
"Growing up there exposed me to a variety of opinions, giving me a more nuanced knowledge of people from all walks of life."
Have you always had a passion for acting?
Yes, acting felt more natural and I loved being in an acting class cause I always felt everyone was just as weird as me and there’s no judgment. Good vibes and learning perfecting our crafts.
How much does being from London inform your approach to your character and creative work?
Being from London has a small part to play on impact on my approach to character development and the creative process I say this only because I’ve travelled and seen a lot of the world and come across so many characters and life experiences that pull from more. London is a diverse, vibrant city with a wide range of cultures, ethnicities, and experiences, and that diversity informs my perspective on the world whilst also being open to new cultures and backgrounds that I have visited. Growing up there exposed me to a variety of opinions, giving me a more nuanced knowledge of people from all walks of life. When I play a character, I pull on those experiences, whether it's the way individuals express themselves, their problems, or dynamics of relationships. London also taught me tenacity and adaptability, which I apply in my profession. It keeps me grounded and focused, especially while dealing with emotionally charged roles.
Is there any advice you wish you had been given when you started your acting journey?
As long as you are perfecting your craft and adding the rejection is only pushing you closer to something greater things. Added entitlement doesn’t exist, timing does.
And finally, what message would you want your audiences to take away from Kabul?
The message I hope audiences get from Kabul is one of perseverance and empathy. While the series centres on the sad events of the 2021 bombs in Afghanistan, it is ultimately about the resilience of humans in the face of disaster. The novel emphasises the emotional cost of conflict, as well as the optimism and determination that may persist even in the darkest of circumstances. Not forgetting the circumstances women of Afghanistan were facing ban on education, driving etc.
I want audiences to understand that every combat story is about human lives, dreams, and connections. I believe it encourages us to consider how we can all help to make the world a more compassionate and understanding place.