Describing himself as a “multi-hyphenate creative straddling both western and Arab audiences,” Hisham Fageeh, 36, is a busy man.
Some of the roles between those hyphenates include artist, social activist, comedian, filmmaker, actor, director, and producer. His big breakout in Saudi was his viral 2013 No Woman No Drive satirical YouTube video, which was then quickly followed by success as co-producer and star of Barakah Meets Barakah, the Kingdom’s submission for Best Foreign Language Film at the 89th Academy Awards. This then scooped the Prize of the Ecumenical Jury at the Berlin International Film Festival, where it premiered and earned him a Best Actor Award nomination at the Arab Cinema Awards in Cannes.
And that’s not to mention his stint as head of content at Telfaz11, a multi-channel network with more than 1 billion views, his appointment as director of the Middle East Media Initiative at USC’s School of Cinematic Arts. Then there's his more recent work in the US on the Golden Globe-winning Ramy, Emmy-nominated animated comedy Big Mouth, and his new US-Saudi multi-genre TV and film venture, DH’BAB.
So, what brings Fageeh and his high-vibe energy to LA from Riyadh?
“It’s as far as possible from my dad,” he deadpans. Later, he explains he wanted “to learn from and work among the best in the industry.” He’s no longer a fan of Hollywood, the neighbourhood, however. “I used to live in Hollywood, then moved in protest after they shut down the Cinerama ArcLight,” he explains.
Instead, NELA, or north-east LA, his current abode, is “very walkable, you can pick fruits from the trees on the street, and there are good schools for my kids.”
While Fageeh’s ultimate LA experience so far has been “catching a psychedelic sunset at the top of Griffith, or Halloween Horror Nights (in Universal Studios),” the best may be yet to come. “If it’s best for me and all life everywhere, then yes, I think I may stay in LA forever,” he muses.
Here, Fageeh guides us through some of the spots that have made him fall in love with his new home.
Fageeh's Favourite Foodie Finds
“The Queso Black Bean con Pollo taco at Villa’s Tacos is the best dish in town,” says Fageeh, who was introduced to them by his “industry big brother,” Laith Majali (the Oscar-nominated producer of Theeb).
After four years of street vending and selling pickup orders from his grandma’s backyard during the pandemic, now Villa’s Tacos' Chef Victor has a bricks-and-mortar store and a Michelin Bib Gourmand. “He’s a chef who doesn’t fear being authentically himself,” he says. Where does he head for a taste of home? “I go eat at Bait Al Mandi in Anaheim. Best laham ever.”
The Saudi-born actor also rates The Fish King seafood market in Glendale (“It’s awesome,”) and the Atwater Village Farmers’ Market (“For pupusas [a thick griddle cake or flatbread] and vibes.”) Of course, diving into a double-double with whole grilled onion and a side of well-done fries at In-and-Out is a rite of passage for anyone visiting.
But Fageeh emphasises that you mustn’t miss Koreatown and Little Tokyo either. “The food is amazing – my wife, Raneen Bukhari, has a list on Instagram you should check out.” And whenever he needs to come up with an itinerary for visiting guests, he combines a specific food with a specific walk. “I take them to Raffi’s Place for the best kebabs ever and on the Frogtown's LA River Walk – eating by the river in Salazar or Spoke Bicycle Café.”
Boutiques and Bargains
For clothes, this summer, “NorBlack NorWhite [NBNW] has a pop-up on Fairfax and it's the coolest spot,” shares Fageeh. Mainly, it’s all about thrift culture, supporting any friends you have in fashion – specifically, SUAY SEW SHOP. “It’s a beyond awesome up-cycling repurpose spot that I am addicted to,” he explains. “Every piece I've bought from SUAY is amazing. I have also given them clothes I can't wear anymore because of stains or just being over it, and they give them a new life with their brilliant COMMUNITY DYE BATH [the store offers five-seven different dye colours each month].” Speaking more broadly, he continues: “Consumer culture and capitalism says you need more stuff, you don't. You just need to fix the stuff you have.”
When it comes to gifts, Fageeh heads to Skylight Books annex in Los Feliz and Reparations Club in West Adams. “At Skylight, I found a photography book of Gaza that I had never seen before – my colleague cried tears of joy upon receiving it,” he remembers.
“At Reparations Club, I was able to get a signed copy of Safia Elhillo’s newest book, which my little brother adored.” Clearly, he has a knack for presents. “The best gift isn’t the most expensive one,” he says. “Something personalised and inherently one-of-a-kind shows your intent.” And finally: “I also love a good estate sale; dead celebrities always have great stuff.”
Self Care Secrets
LA has offered a bit of revolution for Fageeh’s locks, too. “My curly hair specialist, Yasmeen Dahdoul, changed my life and my hair,” he says. “I get pampered and look fly at the end of it.” For spas, it’s all about the city’s Koreatown again. “The Korean spa experience is amazing.”
And for some quiet? The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens [known as The Huntington] and Echo Park Branch Library are his top spots to spend time with a book.
LA's Great Outdoors
In terms of parks, Los Angeles State Historic Park in Chinatown is the nicest around, along with Elysian Park, “for RABBIT’s Outside events.” Instead of heading to the gym, Fageeh prefers to “hike it out at Runyon Canyon Park,” or drive 20 minutes for a swim in a waterfall – the most unique LA experience going. “There are loads of waterfalls,” says Fageeh, so you should simply “choose whichever your heart and GPS desires.”
@hishamfageeh
Images with thanks to Ahmad Samir Al-Dabagh, @ahmad.aldabagh
