Director: Hany Abu-Assad
Writers: Hany Abu-Assad, Sameh Zoabi (screenplay)
Stars: Tawfeek Barhom, Ahmed Al Rokh, Hiba Attalah | See full cast and crew.
Storyline
A film about the popular Palestinian singer Mohammad Assaf, from
childhood to adulthood, and his life in Gaza until he won the Arab idol.
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User Reviews
This is the basically
true story of Palestinian Mohammad Assaf, who won "Arab Idol" in 2013
and is now a goodwill ambassador for the UN. Those who know of his
success will love to re-live it. But for perhaps the majority of
westerners this is an inspiring, universal story of love conquering
fear. The first 90 minutes are set in Gaza, where Assaf was raised. He
showed talent early on. We assume that his sick sister will recover. But
we're wrong. We're led to believe that Mohammad was inspired to
succeed. The story of Mohammad's struggle to enter "Arab Idol" seems
incredible. But he really did get a forged visa to Egypt, where the 2013
finals were held, and he really did break into the hotel to audition
because he didn't have a ticket. The rest is history. The genuine
footage of Mohammad's success being celebrated by thousands of people in
streets throughout the Arab world is astonishing. Few will be able to
suppress a tear as Mohammad states that he entered the contest because
he wanted Palestine's voice to be heard. After success in Toronto, the
film played the London Film Festival, where director Hany Abu-Assad
revealed that he was mostly unable to shoot in Gaza, ostensibly because
he was born in Israel. But the principal children during that first 90
minutes are Palestinian and it seems they were allowed to be taken
elsewhere for the shoot, possibly Jordan. Mohammed Assaf was also
present at the screening and claimed to be very proud of the way in
which he was represented. This record of a talent contest inspiring
goodwill between nations that continues to this day puts the nonsense
that sustains the likes of "The X Factor" into a very real perspective.
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