MY NAME IN NEON LIGHTS

Name: Dana Abraham. My mother Nilufar had two daughters, my two lovely elder sisters, and really wanted a son. She visited an Imam and prayed for a son. He had two conditions: my name must be Dana, meaning wise in Persian and that she would grow my hair. I believe that’s probably why I’m her favourite!

Currently: We are gearing for the world premiere of Neon Lights in my hometown Hamilton, Ontario (the second being in Los Angeles). It’s a film that we are tremendously proud of. Neon Lights delves into the world of mental illness, childhood trauma, financial and familial failures, all neatly wrapped into a psychological thriller. We are also preparing to release Maternal starring Amybeth Mc Nulty and Colm Feore, the first film I produced under the banner of Red Hill Entertainment. I play a small role in it, that of Dr. Perez. Additionally, we are finalizing the picture lock and readying the sale of A Hundred Lies, a film about the volatility of Toronto’s music industry, starring Rob Raco, Humberly Gonzalez, Stephen Tracey, Jessica Amlee, and myself. We’re in development and plan to go to camera with Black Cat, an adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe’s Black Cat. Ours will be vastly different from the 1934 version in the sense of the diversity and contemporary psychological thriller theme. I am also immensely excited to now be up for the lead role in Giulia Prenna’s new feature going into development for spring 2023, written by her lovely husband, Robert Orr titled Sight Unseen, a very cool The Sixth Sense style movie – that’s all I can say for now!

Favourite colour: Blue!

Favourite designers: I love so many designers, yet none of them are my ultimate be-all-end-all. It truly depends on my mood. I can go from fitted skinny jeans, to baggy oversized balloon pants. Very, very, dependent on the environment, event, mood. I tend to thrift shop a lot. However, I love Converse. I own a ton of Converse sneakers and they’re pretty much my go-to for any occasion.

Favourite Bollywood stars: My goodness, I have so many! Hrithik Roshan, Shah Rukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, John Abraham.

Favourite Hollywood stars: Jake Gyllenhaal, Leonardo DiCaprio, Hugh Jackman, Miles Teller and the great Daniel Day Lewis, as well as Meryl Streep.

Favourite movies: Titanic, Top Gun (both!), Prisoner, Joker, Batman (Dark Knight and Robert Pattison’s).

Favourite singers: So many! But A.R. Rahman is one of my favourite composers, and creators, and Hans Zimmer as well. I hope to work with both in the future. Elton John is way up at the top for me. But my ultimate has to be Frank Sinatra, Fly Me To The Moon will most likely be my wedding song. I do love Dua Lipa a ton. I began listening to her way at the beginning, so I’d say I’m a devoted early fan!

Favourite song: So many, but, Frank Sinatra’s Fly Me To The Moon.

Favourite TV show: Right now, The Offer on Paramount Plus. Miles Teller is marvelous.

Favourite ice cream flavour: If I had to pick one, nothing beats the classic taste of vanilla.

Favourite cuisine: Sushi! My family and I pretty much do sushi once a month, maybe twice... don’t tell my trainer.

Favourite restaurants: I love the local pubs in my neighbourhood in Hamilton. I often eat alone, people watch. If I want to enjoy an espresso martini, I rotate between Berkeley North and The French. If I want brunch, nothing beats Motel Hamilton. I love Westtown Bar and Pub. I’ve been going there since I was 16 years old.

Favourite sport: Football (American), basketball, boxing.

Favourite sportsperson: Steph Curry, Cam Newton, Joe Burrow, Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez.

Favourite author: Right now, easily Hanya Yanagihara. Her book, A Little Life, is the most heartbreaking yet brilliantly written book I think I’ve ever read. I do a lot of reading, anything from self-growth to entertaining, to inspiring. So it’s challenging to pinpoint an all time.

Favourite activities: Reading, working out, walking my dog, hanging with my family, a drink/dinner, lunch alone. Depending on my mood. I’m versatile. Can I add working to this list? I love what I do!

I hang out: Alone a lot! Otherwise with my two best friends, Paul and Ed. My die-hard brothers, through the best or worst times, and my family!

I’m freaked out by: Spiders! LOL! i need: Nothing. I have everything I want and God will provide the rest.

I want to be: Known for kindness, compassion, and for someone who gave more than received. I want to be of service to my people, community, family and friends.

My role models: Jake Gyllenhaal for the brilliant versatility he shows in his work, and his ability to blend in with his community in New York City. He seems like such an incredible soul. I love Robert Greene and his philosophy. Sundar Pichai, for who/what he has become and if I could meet him, I’d love to build a bridge together for our people to create an equitable living and opportunity back home (Bangladesh, India).

Tips to save the planet: You know what, in this instance, I need to do more, rather than provide advice. I am an avid recycler, but truth be told, I know that’s the bare minimum. If I provide any tips, it’s as they say, ‘do as I say, not as I do,’ and I need to be better. My little sister Hanifa and I committed to going the vegetarian/vegan route, which will immensely help the planet (especially in North America), and we hope that our commitment in that manner will make a bigger difference.

In a perfect world: There is no war, enormous peace, happiness and prosperity for all – no divide on race, gender, sexual orientation. We are one. The term I use is Ubuntu, meaning, ‘humanity in others’. I am what I am, because of who all are. Thank you!

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