São Paulo –Mohammed Assaf dreams of singing at the Cairo Opera House with his best friend Nour. Living in the troubled regions of Gaza, Palestine, the boy wants the whole world to hear his voice. The opportunity knocks, although without Nour’s company, since she needs a kidney transplant: in some way, Mohammed manages to go to Egypt and compete on Arab Idol, famous TV talent-show for the Arab region. Success is close, but to reach it the boy will need to overcome his fears.
Directed by Palestinian Hany Abu-Assad, “The Idol” (Ya tayr el tayer) tells the real story of the boy who won the 2013 edition of Arab Idol, the Arab version of the talent-show music programs that conquered audiences worldwide. The Palestinian selection for the 2017 Oscars (it wasn’t nominated), the movie opened in Brazilian theaters on Thursday (26).
Abu-Assad’s movies twice have been nominated for an Oscar in the Best Foreign Film category: in 2014 with Omar and in 2006 with Paradise Now, movie which also won a Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language Film. Born in 1961 in Nazareth, Palestine, the director was a late bloomer in the film industry – he worked for years and aerospace engineer in Holland – but has been since one of the most awarded directors in the Arab region.
According to the director, the opportunity to film the story of Mohammed Assaf gave him goose bumps, since he really cheered for his victory: “I was captured by the cameras among thousands of people gathered at Nazareth square to hear the results of Arab Idol. I was jumping with excitement like a little boy,” said Abu-Assad in the movie’s marketing material. “I was more excited by the chance of him winning Arab Idol than for the award I had won at Cannes Film Festival three weeks before.”
Distributed by California Filmes, “The Idol” is showing in theaters in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Brasília.
Quick info
The Idol (Ya tayr el tayer)
Palestine, Drama, for all ages
Directed by: Hany Abu-Assad
Cast: Ahmed Al Rokh, Hiba Attalah, Kais Attalah
Duration: 100 minutes
Showing: Espaço Itaú Casa Park (Brasília-DF), Espaço Itaú Botafogo (Rio de Janeiro-RJ) and Espaço Itaú Augusta (São Paulo-SP).
Information: http://www.californiafilmes.com.br/
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bbtzz4wNzAU
*Translated by Sérgio Kakitani
