Interview with Meital Dohan

Meital Dohan is an Israeli actress who has acted on the popular series, Weeds. She is soon to be in the upcoming film Monogamy, which explores the problems and challenges of romantic relationships. TheCelebrityCafe.com's Ellen Stodola spoke to her about her upcoming film, her career as an actress, and what's up next for her including a music album which she co-wrote.

TheCelebrityCafe.com: You're starring in the upcoming film Monogamy. What made you decide to get involved with this film?

Meital Dohan: I think that the script had a lot to do with it. Every movie starts with the script, and this script was timely, it was very engaging, and makes you wonder what's going on. For me, it was the updated Blow Up. It's also interesting because it's so hard to maintain monogamy in relationships these days, and the film looks at this. We're experiencing change in society and what relationships are about. That was a big part of my decision to get involved with the film. Also, the director, Dana Adam Shapiro, is super talented. I saw Murderball, and I loved it.

TCC: How was your working relationship with fellow actors Chris Messina and Rashida Jones?

Meital Dohan: I didn't get to act with Rashida which is unfortunate because I really like her as an actress. With Chris, it was funny how we interacted based on just the way that the movie is filmed. We act together, but we act in different scenes and his character is always watching me.

TCC: When did you know that you wanted to be an actress?

Meital Dohan: I didn't decide that I wanted to act until I was 17. I acted all my life, but I just did it as an outlet. I just did it because I loved it, and I didn't think for a second that I would be an actress because I was shy. Obviously in this world, being an actor requires you to be very strong and fight for what you believe in and go with your talent and have a thick skin, but a lot of the very best actors are sensitive people. I didn't think it was me, but I went to an exchange program in United States when I was 16, and I didn't act for half a year. That was when I realized I wanted to be an actress. So, at 17, I really started acting.

TCC: You've been nominated for two Israeli Academy Awards. How has this changed your career? Has it opened up more roles? Or what sense of pride comes with an honor like this?

Meital Dohan: When things come to you at a certain time, you don't always know how to appreciate it. I did appreciate it, but I was always just super busy with my career. I was just busy and focused on my work to make sure I always move forward in life. The nominations were just a part of this moving forward, but of course I appreciated them.

TCC: You're also an author. Tell me about your book, Love and Other Bad Habits. What made you decide to write it?

Meital Dohan: I was engaged. I was in love for the first time of my life. We shared a very strong relationship and it fell apart; we couldn't really maintain it, and we couldn't hold on to that love. And from that experience I started writing that book. I just wanted to talk about the differences between men and women. One part of the book is about dealing with love and the will to love so much that you give up on yourself and all the places that love leads you. And then another part of the book is about the process to represent women in a society that is confused over women's roles and what we're supposed to be.

TCC: Besides acting, you've also done some writing and directing in your career. Do you prefer one over the other? Or does it depend on the project?

Meital Dohan: I don't really have plans to direct unless I study cinema more in depth, but I love collaborating. I love to write because I want to see projects happening. I write things as I envision them. I also co-wrote my first album and it's coming out soon. The form of writing is great because it's just a form of self expression.

TCC: Is it ever challenging trying to get roles as an Israeli actress?

Meital Dohan: I don't really see it that way. Everyone is trying to do something in life. It doesn't matter if you're trying to be actress, lawyer, etc. You have a challenge, goals, destiny, and you have the obstacles. It's not so much about the details like being an Israeli actress in particular. Everything we want to do has obstacles. You have to work with what you have.

TCC: You've been in television series like Woke Up Dead and Weeds. What is appealing about a television role as opposed to a movie role?

Meital Dohan: Television is really nice. It really depends on what type of TV program you get involved with or what kind of movie. I'm selective about projects to get involved with, and I'm happy to do work that I feel proud about. Almost every project that I work on, I'm proud of. Weeds was a great experience. It's nice to interact with the audience in that way with television. It's a character that you reveal at a certain time while a movie is more about the audience going to the theater to see it and about one storyline, so the characters have to develop more quickly. TV is about the journey of character, but you sometimes don't know what will happen to your character even as an actor until farther into the season.