Steven Spielberg, one of the most renowned directors in the world, sent a letter expressing his enjoyment of the Netflix show "Mo," making its lead star emotional. The show, which premiered in August of last year, centers around Mohammed Amer, who portrays a fictionalized version of himself, Mo Najjar, a Palestinian refugee who is just one step away from obtaining asylum in the U.S. The show takes place in Houston, Texas, where Najjar lives with his family, and across eight episodes, Najjar hilariously adjusts to wild circumstances even as he faces some very specific struggles.
The Emotional Letter That Brought Tears To The Eyes
In a conversation with Entertainment Weekly, Amer discussed the series and reflected on his past interactions with Spielberg. He mentioned sitting across from the legendary director and getting emotional while recalling Spielberg's support. Amer specifically mentions that the Jurassic Park helmer sent him a letter to express his enjoyment of "Mo," which has been renewed for season 2.
"Getting honored by the American Film Institute was the first—like, whoa. You think… to be sitting across James Cameron and Spielberg, that was just crazy to me. And I was sitting there talking to [Slovan] “Slick” [Naim], our director. I think we were sitting there, and he’s—because nobody’s ever filmed a show in Houston. They were, like, literally trying to talk him into filming in their barber shop, and then a year later we’re sitting there getting a letter from Spielberg about how much he enjoyed the show.
It just brings tears to your eyes. Like, literally, it just makes it all so worth it. All that pain and all that struggle to get the show off the ground, and of course, to get a Peabody nomination is huge. I’m very, very excited about it and honored, of course, and just tip my hat to the entire production team. Everybody’s efforts were the reason why we ended up getting this nomination."
Why "Mo" Has Received Such Acclaim
Just as Amer mentions in his comments, "Mo" has received several accolades and nominations. The series has a perfect score on Rotten Tomatoes, and it also won the Gotham Award for Breakthrough Series. "Mo" was also named TV Program of the Year at this year's AFI Awards, while also being nominated by the Film Independent Spirit Awards and the Peabody Awards.
The series, which also stars Farah Bsieso, Omar Elba, Teresa Ruiz, and Tobe Nwigwe, is praised for its diversity and the respect it highlights. The show brings focus to the life of a Palestinian refugee, something that's rarely seen in the media. But it's also important to note that "Mo" is genuinely entertaining as well. While a lot of half-hour programs on streaming lean more toward drama, the writing team knows to keep humor at the center of the narrative in spectacular ways.
The levity is clear right from the jump, as its main character cleverly hustles to make money, continually leaning on his smarts even as it leads him to comedic disaster. And though there was some disappointment about the fact that the upcoming "Mo" season 2 will be the last, Spielberg's praise serves as another example that the perhaps underseen comedy is a real gem that should be discovered by more audiences.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Mo is a show that has earned its critical acclaim and the admiration of Steven Spielberg. It shines a light on the struggles of a Palestinian refugee while keeping the narrative entertaining with its humorous writing. The fact that it has been renewed for a second season is a testament to its quality, and we can't wait to see what's in store for Mo Najjar and his family.
FAQs
1. What is Mo about?
Mo is a single-camera comedy on Netflix that centers around Mohammed Amer as a fictionalized version of himself. The show follows Mo Najjar, a Palestinian refugee who is trying to obtain asylum in the U.S.
2. Who stars in Mo?
The show stars Mohammed Amer, Farah Bsieso, Omar Elba, Teresa Ruiz, and Tobe Nwigwe.
3. Has Mo won any awards?
Yes, Mo has won several awards and nominations, including a Gotham Award for Breakthrough Series and a perfect score on Rotten Tomatoes.
4. Why is Mo important?
Mo is important because it brings attention to the struggles and triumphs of refugees, a topic that is often overlooked in the media. The show's diverse cast and blend of drama and comedy make it both entertaining and informative.