The Idol, a movie inspired by the rise to fame of Arab Idol star Mohammed Assaf showcased at BFI London Film Festival on Monday 12th October 2015. The film’s screening was attended by MBC Group Chairman Sheikh Waleed Al-Ibrahim, as well as Ahmad Alhendawi, the United Nations Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth. The film, loosely based on the story of […]
The Idol, a movie inspired by the rise to fame of Arab Idol star Mohammed Assaf showcased at BFI London Film Festival on Monday 12th October 2015.
The film’s screening was attended by MBC Group Chairman Sheikh Waleed Al-Ibrahim, as well as Ahmad Alhendawi, the United Nations Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth.
The film, loosely based on the story of the Palestinian singers 2013 victory in MBCs hit talent-spotting show, was launched with a crowded red carpet that also included fans, media and press, film financiers and MBC Executives.
Co-produced by MBC Group, whose commitment to The Idol movie on a global scale is an intrinsic part of the Palestinian story, the film is already creating a media buzz at the London festival, with the screening coming after the films global premier at last months Toronto International Film Festival.
MBC Group Chairman, Sheikh Waleed Al-Ibrahim said: Entire generations grew up on the pulse of the Palestinian cause, with unfortunate setbacks and disappointments; however, today Arab Idol Assaf– who came out from the heart of Palestinian suffering- carries with him headlines of hope filling the hearts of tens of thousands of young Palestinians.
Al-Ibrahim further added: The hope for success and excellence are not limited to performing artists such as Assaf, but rather embedded into the hearts of thousands of young talented Palestinians who aspire to achieve major accomplishments in various fields, awaiting anxiously for the right opportunity to rise and sparkle in all fields. Al-Ibrahim concluded by saying: I was keen on personally attending the Premier in London as I truly believe in the symbolic message it holds and magnitude of hope it sheds on Assafs struggle and suffering, embodying the Palestinian cause, so to speak the dreams and aspirations of a whole youthful generation. Therefore, and parallel to our commitment to support the talents of young Arabs in general, this personifies MBCs slogan of We See Hope Everywhere.
Assafs character is portrayed by young Palestinian actor Toufic Barhoum while other roles are played by fellow actors and actresses from the territory. The movie is written by the director, Hany Abu-Assad, as well as Sameh al-Zoabi, and was produced by Ali Jaafar and Amira Diab.
