Following a series of frustrations and disappointments, it seems as though Hollywood is finally smiling at Israeli actor Aki Avni. In a week's time he will be filming a movie called "Homeland Security" starring Antonio Banderas, Meg Ryan and Colin Hanks.
This romantic comedy, written and directed by George Gallo, evolves around an uptight young federal agent who finds himself having to spy on his sexually liberated mother and her new lover after the FBI links him to an international art theft ring.
Avni will play one of the FBI men, and will appear on the screen for several minutes.
Avni shines
Gil Meltzer
After a year in the US, Aki Avni gave up. ‘I understood that I was marching ahead of everyone. I lost the willpower to get out of bed in the morning, to shave, to leave the house. I was horribly depressed.’ Now, with his first major part in an American movie, Avni believes that he is past the crisis stage
Avni said he was initially assigned a different role, that of a Frenchman, however, the director decided he was able to carry the American character through.
TV Star
And that's not all: Next month the series "Jihad" will go on air throughout Europe in which Avni plays the part of an American colonel.
When asked whether the frustrating period was now behind him, Avni responded that he would rather relate to the challenge of the role and not to the frustrations it involves. He added that he is still very far from where he would like to be, but that he is on the right track. He recalled the times when he and his wife first came to the US seeking an acting career. But he is optimistic.
"I don't regret the past four years I have spent here, despite the difficulties for a young actor, it's been an amazing experience," he said. He added that if he hadn't tried, it would always have bothered him.
When asked what his biggest dream is, Avni replied that the nature of dreams is to constantly grow. After making great strides in the Israeli film industry, he came to the US and now his dream is to play the lead role in a major film and to represent Israel.
Avni says his dream is to act alongside actors such as Anthony Hopkins, Johnny Depp and Uma Thurman. He said that his past dream was to play alongside Natalie Portman and that he has already realized this dream.
When asked about his career in Israel Avni said that he is constantly being made offers and that he loves working in Hebrew.