Hesham Nazih is a composer based in Cairo, and the first Egyptian composer to score a Marvel project with MOON KNIGHT. In this interview, Hesham details how he got the job, the spectacular vocal effects in the music, and the difference between the Hollywood sound of Egypt and the real thing — and how they’ve grown together.

Plus, Hesham’s story of being unable to afford musical training, and his process of self-teaching from playing in bands to meeting young filmmakers who needed scores. And the lesson one filmmaker shared with him about being unafraid to say “no” when you don’t believe in the project. Interview by Matt Schrader.