Exclusive: Syrian actor Samer Ismail, whose international roles include Darren Lynn Bousman’s Saudi shot horror movie The Cello, has signed with talent management and promotional agency Mad Celebrity.
Ismail first achieved fame in the Middle East and North Africa as the title character in 2012 Mbc hit series Omar and made his big screen debut in Emirati director Ali F. Mustafa’s 2016 sci-fi thriller The worthy.
Mad Celebrity — a division of the Cairo-based Mad Solutions — will be exclusively responsible for representing Ismail in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) in contracts with production companies and advertising agencies, as well as in dealings with media outlets.
Ismail joins another 60 Arab world talents represented by the burgeoning agency including Egyptian superstar Yousra and buzzy rising actor Ahmed Malek, who enjoys fame at home in Egypt and is also building a buzzy international career with recent credits including Swimmers, Finchley Lane and Boiling Point.
Ismail first achieved fame in the Middle East and North Africa as the title character in 2012 Mbc hit series Omar and made his big screen debut in Emirati director Ali F. Mustafa’s 2016 sci-fi thriller The worthy.
Mad Celebrity — a division of the Cairo-based Mad Solutions — will be exclusively responsible for representing Ismail in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) in contracts with production companies and advertising agencies, as well as in dealings with media outlets.
Ismail joins another 60 Arab world talents represented by the burgeoning agency including Egyptian superstar Yousra and buzzy rising actor Ahmed Malek, who enjoys fame at home in Egypt and is also building a buzzy international career with recent credits including Swimmers, Finchley Lane and Boiling Point.
- 5/18/2024
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
The Arab Cinema Center has published this year's “Golden 101”, its annual list of the 101 most influential figures in Arab cinema in its 22nd edition of Arab Cinema Magazine, which is being circulated at the 77th edition of the Cannes Film Festival and can be accessed on the Marché du Film website.
Celebrating individuals and institutions who have made the most significant impact on the Arab film industry over the past twelve months, this year's Golden 101 comprises of 13 directors, 16 producers, 14 actors, five crew members, 18 distributors from 12 institutions, 12 executives from 10 governmental cinema institutions, 11 executives from seven video-on-demand platforms, 11 representatives from seven festivals, and seven executives from film financing institutions.
Commenting on this year's Golden 101 list, Colin Brown, Mad Solutions' Managing Partner for International Operations said; “These are the artists, artisans, and power brokers who have distinguished themselves this past year – and the rest of the world should pay attention to them if...
Celebrating individuals and institutions who have made the most significant impact on the Arab film industry over the past twelve months, this year's Golden 101 comprises of 13 directors, 16 producers, 14 actors, five crew members, 18 distributors from 12 institutions, 12 executives from 10 governmental cinema institutions, 11 executives from seven video-on-demand platforms, 11 representatives from seven festivals, and seven executives from film financing institutions.
Commenting on this year's Golden 101 list, Colin Brown, Mad Solutions' Managing Partner for International Operations said; “These are the artists, artisans, and power brokers who have distinguished themselves this past year – and the rest of the world should pay attention to them if...
- 5/17/2024
- by Rouven Linnarz
- AsianMoviePulse
Tara Abboud efficiently plays the role of Sarah in the second season of Alrawabi School for Girls. Sarah’s aspirations to become a well-known face among her peers make her undertake desperate measures. Once she reaches the zenith of popularity, she starts realizing that maintaining her image and social status is very important, and she, therefore, engages in activities that eventually drag down her reputation. Just to fit in with a gang of popular girls and to gain a few likes on social media, Sarah forgets her roots and starts behaving like a different person altogether. However, after analyzing her character, certain questions come to our minds. Will Sarah’s fame be short-lived? How will Sarah help herself come out of the traumatic situation? Let’s find out!
Spoilers Ahead
How Did Sarah Become Popular?
Sarah would do anything to seek attention! She did not like the fact that she...
Spoilers Ahead
How Did Sarah Become Popular?
Sarah would do anything to seek attention! She did not like the fact that she...
- 2/16/2024
- by Debjyoti Dey
- Film Fugitives
What to Watch on Netflix (Series) in February 2024: The Killer Paradox to Avatar: The Last Airbender
From The Killer Paradox to One Day, make a note of what to watch on Netflix (series) in February 2024. ( Photo Credit – IMDb )
It’s a new month, and it’s time to check the list of What to Watch on Netflix (Series) in February 2024. There has never been a month where the streaming platform has not dropped at least one or more series that has managed to grab everyone’s attention. For February, the options range from Raël: The Last Prophet documentary series to A Killer Paradox, a Korean drama.
If you are one of those who love to binge a new show the day it releases, you should definitely save this list. We have mentioned the upcoming shows on Netflix with their release dates.
What to Watch on Netflix (Series) in February 2024 Let’s Talk About Chu – February 2
It’s a Taiwanese rom-com series starring Chan Tzu-hsuan, Wu Chien-ho and Miao Ke-li.
It’s a new month, and it’s time to check the list of What to Watch on Netflix (Series) in February 2024. There has never been a month where the streaming platform has not dropped at least one or more series that has managed to grab everyone’s attention. For February, the options range from Raël: The Last Prophet documentary series to A Killer Paradox, a Korean drama.
If you are one of those who love to binge a new show the day it releases, you should definitely save this list. We have mentioned the upcoming shows on Netflix with their release dates.
What to Watch on Netflix (Series) in February 2024 Let’s Talk About Chu – February 2
It’s a Taiwanese rom-com series starring Chan Tzu-hsuan, Wu Chien-ho and Miao Ke-li.
- 2/1/2024
- by Pooja Darade
- KoiMoi
Culprits Season 1 Review Out ( Photo Credit – IMDb )
Culprits Season 1 Review: Star Rating:
Cast: Nathan Stewart-Jarret, Gemma Arterton, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, Niamh Algar, Kamel El Basha, Tara Abboud, Karl Collins, Vincent Riotta.
Creator: J. Blakeson
Director: Jake Blakeson, Claire Oakley
Streaming On: Star, Disney+, and Hulu.
Language: English
Runtime: 8 Episodes, Around 1 hour each.
Culprits Season 1 Review Out ( Photo Credit – YouTube ) Culprits Season 1 Review: What’s It About:
Culprits is a new heist TV series debuting on Hulu, Disney+, and Star, depending on the territory. The eight-season episode focuses on the life of David, a man living several lives at the same time. The show splits into two timelines, showing David during two pivotal moments in his life: during a massive heist and after the heist. The series then goes back and forth between the two timelines, and we see that getting out of the game is easier said than done. How did David get to this place?...
Culprits Season 1 Review: Star Rating:
Cast: Nathan Stewart-Jarret, Gemma Arterton, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, Niamh Algar, Kamel El Basha, Tara Abboud, Karl Collins, Vincent Riotta.
Creator: J. Blakeson
Director: Jake Blakeson, Claire Oakley
Streaming On: Star, Disney+, and Hulu.
Language: English
Runtime: 8 Episodes, Around 1 hour each.
Culprits Season 1 Review Out ( Photo Credit – YouTube ) Culprits Season 1 Review: What’s It About:
Culprits is a new heist TV series debuting on Hulu, Disney+, and Star, depending on the territory. The eight-season episode focuses on the life of David, a man living several lives at the same time. The show splits into two timelines, showing David during two pivotal moments in his life: during a massive heist and after the heist. The series then goes back and forth between the two timelines, and we see that getting out of the game is easier said than done. How did David get to this place?...
- 12/10/2023
- by Nelson Acosta
- KoiMoi
Abstract art plays a featured role in the first few episodes of Hulu’s new heist drama Culprits. A Rothko exhibit is the site of an early meeting between two aspiring criminals, and the artist’s canvases are a topic of conversation. A later episode walks through a full room of striking works, a Mondrian here, a Kandinsky there. Nobody discusses the paintings this time, but London is full of places to hold meetings, so this interest on series creator J Blakeson’s part feels more than incidental.
Like many things in Culprits, however, the eye for 20th-century masterworks ends up being more of a red herring than a fascination with substance, a burst of color or geometry to attract the eye more than a point of thematic resonance. Despite a fragmented narrative and a couple of interesting characters, very little in Culprits feels all that modern and nothing so much as flirts with abstraction.
Like many things in Culprits, however, the eye for 20th-century masterworks ends up being more of a red herring than a fascination with substance, a burst of color or geometry to attract the eye more than a point of thematic resonance. Despite a fragmented narrative and a couple of interesting characters, very little in Culprits feels all that modern and nothing so much as flirts with abstraction.
- 12/8/2023
- by Daniel Fienberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The initiative celebrates Arab talent and highlights the hottest up-and-coming actors, writers and directors from the region.
Screen International has unveiled the five emerging Middle East and North Africa talents in the fields of acting and directing selected for the seventh edition of Arab Stars Of Tomorrow.
This year’s line-up comprises Adwa Bader, the actress and poet from Saudi Arabia; Jordan’s Cynthia Madanat Sharaiha, director; Egyptian writer and director Morad Mostafa; Palestinian actor Muhammad Abed El Rahman; and fellow Jordanian actress Noor Taher.
The initiative celebrates Arab talent and highlights the hottest up-and-coming actors, writers and directors who...
Screen International has unveiled the five emerging Middle East and North Africa talents in the fields of acting and directing selected for the seventh edition of Arab Stars Of Tomorrow.
This year’s line-up comprises Adwa Bader, the actress and poet from Saudi Arabia; Jordan’s Cynthia Madanat Sharaiha, director; Egyptian writer and director Morad Mostafa; Palestinian actor Muhammad Abed El Rahman; and fellow Jordanian actress Noor Taher.
The initiative celebrates Arab talent and highlights the hottest up-and-coming actors, writers and directors who...
- 12/1/2023
- by Screen staff
- ScreenDaily
This year’s selection of five rising talents will be unveiled on Friday, December 1
The seventh edition of Screen International’s talent-spotting initiative Arab Stars of Tomorrow will once again launch at this year’s Red Sea International Film Festival (November 30-December 9).
This year’s selection of five rising talents will be unveiled on Friday, December 1 in Screen’s second Red Sea print daily and on Screendaily.com.
On Saturday, December 2 the stars will take part in a panel discussion at 2pm Ast at the festival hosted by Screen, following a breakfast reception
Arab Stars of Tomorrow celebrates Arab talent...
The seventh edition of Screen International’s talent-spotting initiative Arab Stars of Tomorrow will once again launch at this year’s Red Sea International Film Festival (November 30-December 9).
This year’s selection of five rising talents will be unveiled on Friday, December 1 in Screen’s second Red Sea print daily and on Screendaily.com.
On Saturday, December 2 the stars will take part in a panel discussion at 2pm Ast at the festival hosted by Screen, following a breakfast reception
Arab Stars of Tomorrow celebrates Arab talent...
- 11/28/2023
- by Screen staff
- ScreenDaily
Disney+ has revealed the official trailer for Character 7’s upcoming UK original darkly comic crime series ‘Culprits.’
The eight-episode series kicks off where most crime stories end: after a high-stakes heist, when the crew of elite criminals have gone their separate ways and have tried to leave their old lives behind. Past and present collide when a ruthless assassin starts targeting them one by one. Why are they being stalked, who is behind the mayhem, and will they be able to find one another in time to protect themselves and the people they love?
Nathan Stewart-Jarrett, Gemma Arterton, Kirby (“Cruella” “The Good Place”), Niamh Algar, Kamel El Basha (“The Insult”), Tara Abboud, Kevin Vidal, Ned Dennehy, and Eddie Izzard star.
‘Culprits’ is executive produced by Stephen Garrett & J Blakeson, created by J Blakeson, directed by J Blakeson and Claire Oakley (“Make up”) and produced by Morenike Williams (“Killing Eve”). Culprits...
The eight-episode series kicks off where most crime stories end: after a high-stakes heist, when the crew of elite criminals have gone their separate ways and have tried to leave their old lives behind. Past and present collide when a ruthless assassin starts targeting them one by one. Why are they being stalked, who is behind the mayhem, and will they be able to find one another in time to protect themselves and the people they love?
Nathan Stewart-Jarrett, Gemma Arterton, Kirby (“Cruella” “The Good Place”), Niamh Algar, Kamel El Basha (“The Insult”), Tara Abboud, Kevin Vidal, Ned Dennehy, and Eddie Izzard star.
‘Culprits’ is executive produced by Stephen Garrett & J Blakeson, created by J Blakeson, directed by J Blakeson and Claire Oakley (“Make up”) and produced by Morenike Williams (“Killing Eve”). Culprits...
- 10/24/2023
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Series creator J Blakeson enjoys heist films but wanted to do something different with the subgenre. The trailer for Hulu’s Culprits shows that he did just that, setting the story years after a heist when the robbers have put their former criminal ways behind them and have established new lives.
“Heists have been done so many times, the great thing about this is that you can sort of play in that sandbox with the tropes and the expectations and the iconography of the heist, but actually tell a story, which is much more about these people who are dealing with this bad thing they’ve done and the consequences of their actions and trying to escape who they were and are trying to become a person who they’d like to be,” said Blakeson in an interview with Variety.
Nathan Stewart-Jarrett (Candyman) and Gemma Arterton (The King’s Man) lead...
“Heists have been done so many times, the great thing about this is that you can sort of play in that sandbox with the tropes and the expectations and the iconography of the heist, but actually tell a story, which is much more about these people who are dealing with this bad thing they’ve done and the consequences of their actions and trying to escape who they were and are trying to become a person who they’d like to be,” said Blakeson in an interview with Variety.
Nathan Stewart-Jarrett (Candyman) and Gemma Arterton (The King’s Man) lead...
- 10/24/2023
- by Rebecca Murray
- Showbiz Junkies
The Hulu Original Series Culprits is set to begin streaming on the Hulu service on Friday, December 8th, and all eight episodes of the show will be available to binge on that date. With a little over a month left to go before we reach the release date, a trailer for the series has arrived online and you can check it out in the embed above! Wikipedia notes Culprits will also be released “on Star via Disney+ in several countries around the world as a Star Original.”
Nathan Stewart-Jarrett (the Candyman reboot), Gemma Arterton (Quantum of Solace), Niamh Algar (Raised by Wolves), Kirby (a.k.a. Kirby Howell-Baptiste of The Good Place), Kamel El Basha (The Insult), Tara Abboud (Amira), Kevin Vidal (Working Moms), Ned Dennehy (Good Omens), and Eddie Izzard (Six Minutes to Midnight) lead the cast of Culprits, which has the following synopsis:
Culprits kicks off where most...
Nathan Stewart-Jarrett (the Candyman reboot), Gemma Arterton (Quantum of Solace), Niamh Algar (Raised by Wolves), Kirby (a.k.a. Kirby Howell-Baptiste of The Good Place), Kamel El Basha (The Insult), Tara Abboud (Amira), Kevin Vidal (Working Moms), Ned Dennehy (Good Omens), and Eddie Izzard (Six Minutes to Midnight) lead the cast of Culprits, which has the following synopsis:
Culprits kicks off where most...
- 10/23/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
"If we fight, we die. If we run, we die." Hulu has unveiled an official trailer for a crime comedy series titled Culprits, made in England for Disney UK. It's the latest creation from filmmaker J Blakeson, best known for his films The Disappearance of Alice Creed, The 5th Wave, and I Care a Lot previously. After a heist, the crew have gone their separate ways, but now, they are being targeted by a killer one-by-one. Culprits kicks off where most crime stories end: after a high-stakes heist, when the crew of elite criminals have gone their separate ways. Past and present collide when a ruthless assassin starts targeting them. Why are they being stalked, who is behind the mayhem, and will they be able to find one another in time to protect themselves and the people they love? The 8-episode UK dark comedy series stars Nathan Stewart-Jarrett, Gemma Arterton,...
- 10/23/2023
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
In this week’s episode of The Discourse, host Mike DeAngelo brings back directors Adil El Arbi & Bilall Fallah to discuss the film “Rebel.” The dramatic musical thriller follows a Muslim Belgian family as they are slowly ripped apart by Islamic extremists through various devious radicalization techniques. The film stars Aboubakr Bensaihi, Lubna Azabal, Tara Abboud, Amir El Arbi, and more.
Read More: ‘Rebel’ Review: Adil El Arbi & Bilall Fallah’s Radicalization Drama Pulsates With Terrible Inevitability [Cannes]
During the interview, the filmmaking duo discuss how personal the film is to them as it mirrors many experiences they had growing up in Belgium.
“It’s our most personal project ever,” El Arbi said.
Continue reading ‘Rebel’: Adil El Arbi & Bilall Fallah On Their Musical Drama About Islamic Radicalization,’ Their ‘Batgirl’ Experience, ‘Ms. Marvel’ & More [The Discourse Podcast] at The Playlist.
Read More: ‘Rebel’ Review: Adil El Arbi & Bilall Fallah’s Radicalization Drama Pulsates With Terrible Inevitability [Cannes]
During the interview, the filmmaking duo discuss how personal the film is to them as it mirrors many experiences they had growing up in Belgium.
“It’s our most personal project ever,” El Arbi said.
Continue reading ‘Rebel’: Adil El Arbi & Bilall Fallah On Their Musical Drama About Islamic Radicalization,’ Their ‘Batgirl’ Experience, ‘Ms. Marvel’ & More [The Discourse Podcast] at The Playlist.
- 9/15/2023
- by Mike DeAngelo
- The Playlist
Disney+ has revealed first-look images for Character 7’s upcoming UK original darkly comic crime series ‘Culprits.’
The eight-episode series kicks off where most crime stories end: after a high-stakes heist, when the crew of elite criminals have gone their separate ways and have tried to leave their old lives behind. Past and present collide when a ruthless assassin starts targeting them one by one. Why are they being stalked, who is behind the mayhem, and will they be able to find one another in time to protect themselves and the people they love?
Nathan Stewart-Jarrett, Gemma Arterton, Kirby (“Cruella” “The Good Place”), Niamh Algar, Kamel El Basha (“The Insult”), Tara Abboud, Kevin Vidal, Ned Dennehy, and Eddie Izzard star.
‘Culprits’ is executive produced by Stephen Garrett & J Blakeson, created by J Blakeson, directed by J Blakeson and Claire Oakley (“Make up”) and produced by Morenike Williams (“Killing Eve”). Culprits is...
The eight-episode series kicks off where most crime stories end: after a high-stakes heist, when the crew of elite criminals have gone their separate ways and have tried to leave their old lives behind. Past and present collide when a ruthless assassin starts targeting them one by one. Why are they being stalked, who is behind the mayhem, and will they be able to find one another in time to protect themselves and the people they love?
Nathan Stewart-Jarrett, Gemma Arterton, Kirby (“Cruella” “The Good Place”), Niamh Algar, Kamel El Basha (“The Insult”), Tara Abboud, Kevin Vidal, Ned Dennehy, and Eddie Izzard star.
‘Culprits’ is executive produced by Stephen Garrett & J Blakeson, created by J Blakeson, directed by J Blakeson and Claire Oakley (“Make up”) and produced by Morenike Williams (“Killing Eve”). Culprits is...
- 8/7/2023
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Culprits is coming to Hulu, and the streaming service has released the first photos from the new crime thriller series. The eight-episode series was commissioned din April 2021 and will arrive sometime this fall.
Created by J Blakeson, the Culprits series revolves around the aftermath of a heist as crew members are murdered one by one. Nathan Stewart-Jarrett, Gemma Arterton, Kirby, Niamh Algar, Kamel El Basha, Tara Abboud, Kevin Vidal, Ned Dennehy, and Eddie Izzard star in the thriller.
Read More…...
Created by J Blakeson, the Culprits series revolves around the aftermath of a heist as crew members are murdered one by one. Nathan Stewart-Jarrett, Gemma Arterton, Kirby, Niamh Algar, Kamel El Basha, Tara Abboud, Kevin Vidal, Ned Dennehy, and Eddie Izzard star in the thriller.
Read More…...
- 8/6/2023
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
Gemma Arterton in ‘Culprits’ (Photo: Character 7 Productions/Hulu)
Hulu’s released the first batch of photos from Culprits, an upcoming thriller set to stream this fall. The first-look photos tease what Hulu describes as a darkly funny crime series without giving much away.
Culprits stars Nathan Stewart-Jarrett (Generation), Gemma Arterton (The King’s Man), Kirby (The Good Place), Niamh Algar (Raised by Wolves), and Kamel El Basha (The Insult). Tara Abboud, Kevin Vidal (Working Moms), Ned Dennehy (The Peripheral), and Eddie Izzard (Victoria and Abdul) also star.
The eight-episode season was created by J Blakeson (The Disappearance of Alice Creed), who also serves as an executive producer and director. Disney+ Emea’s Johanna Devereaux and Stephen Garrett (The Night Manager) executive produce, Claire Oakley (Make Up) directs, and Morenike Williams (Killing Eve) is a producer.
The series is a Character 7 production.
Eddie Izzard in ‘Culprits’ (Photo: Character 7 Productions/Hulu)
The Plot,...
Hulu’s released the first batch of photos from Culprits, an upcoming thriller set to stream this fall. The first-look photos tease what Hulu describes as a darkly funny crime series without giving much away.
Culprits stars Nathan Stewart-Jarrett (Generation), Gemma Arterton (The King’s Man), Kirby (The Good Place), Niamh Algar (Raised by Wolves), and Kamel El Basha (The Insult). Tara Abboud, Kevin Vidal (Working Moms), Ned Dennehy (The Peripheral), and Eddie Izzard (Victoria and Abdul) also star.
The eight-episode season was created by J Blakeson (The Disappearance of Alice Creed), who also serves as an executive producer and director. Disney+ Emea’s Johanna Devereaux and Stephen Garrett (The Night Manager) executive produce, Claire Oakley (Make Up) directs, and Morenike Williams (Killing Eve) is a producer.
The series is a Character 7 production.
Eddie Izzard in ‘Culprits’ (Photo: Character 7 Productions/Hulu)
The Plot,...
- 8/3/2023
- by Rebecca Murray
- Showbiz Junkies
Our sixth edition of Arab Stars of Tomorrow spotlights rising Middle Eastern and North African talents.
In our sixth edition of Arab Stars of Tomorrow, Screen International spotlights five emerging Middle Eastern and North African talents in the fields of acting and directing.
This year’s selection comprises Saudi writer/director Mohamed Al Salman, Moroccan writer/director Sofia Alaoui, Lebanese writer/director Dania Bdeir, Tunisian actor Adam Bessa and Lebanese actor Ziad Jallad.
The showcase has been organised in cooperation with the Red Sea International Film Festival for the first time. At a launch panel held at the festival on...
In our sixth edition of Arab Stars of Tomorrow, Screen International spotlights five emerging Middle Eastern and North African talents in the fields of acting and directing.
This year’s selection comprises Saudi writer/director Mohamed Al Salman, Moroccan writer/director Sofia Alaoui, Lebanese writer/director Dania Bdeir, Tunisian actor Adam Bessa and Lebanese actor Ziad Jallad.
The showcase has been organised in cooperation with the Red Sea International Film Festival for the first time. At a launch panel held at the festival on...
- 12/5/2022
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
Talent-spotting initiative celebrates Arab talent who are primed to make their mark in the international industry.
The sixth edition of Screen International’s talent-spotting initiative Arab Stars of Tomorrow will launch at this year’s Red Sea International Film Festival (December 1-10) for the first time.
The 2022 Arab Stars of Tomorrow will be unveiled on ScreenDaily on Sunday December 4, accompanied by a panel discussion at 12pm Ast (9am GMT) at the Red Sea film festival hosted by Screen’s international news editor Michael Rosser and followed by a reception. The line-up will also be featured in an upcoming print edition of Screen.
The sixth edition of Screen International’s talent-spotting initiative Arab Stars of Tomorrow will launch at this year’s Red Sea International Film Festival (December 1-10) for the first time.
The 2022 Arab Stars of Tomorrow will be unveiled on ScreenDaily on Sunday December 4, accompanied by a panel discussion at 12pm Ast (9am GMT) at the Red Sea film festival hosted by Screen’s international news editor Michael Rosser and followed by a reception. The line-up will also be featured in an upcoming print edition of Screen.
- 11/30/2022
- by Screen staff
- ScreenDaily
This fall, Arab filmmakers will be out in force at such prestigious international fests as Venice and Toronto. Venice alone boasts six features from first- and second-time Arab directors in its official sections, plus an additional six works-in-progress at its Final Cut Production Bridge. Meanwhile, Toronto opens with “The Swimmers,” a drama from U.K. helmer Sally El Hosaini based on the journey of Syrian sisters and Olympic hopefuls Yusra and Sara Mardini, who fled the war in their home country for Germany. Yusra competed in the 2016 and 2021 Summer Olympics. An additional six Arab films will screen at the Canadian fest.
Dek: Arab filmmakers embrace genres and issues as festivals and distributors take notice
By Alissa Simon
This fall, Arab filmmakers will be out in force at such prestigious international fests as Venice and Toronto. Venice alone boasts six features from first- and second-time Arab directors in its official sections,...
Dek: Arab filmmakers embrace genres and issues as festivals and distributors take notice
By Alissa Simon
This fall, Arab filmmakers will be out in force at such prestigious international fests as Venice and Toronto. Venice alone boasts six features from first- and second-time Arab directors in its official sections,...
- 9/3/2022
- by Alissa Simon
- Variety Film + TV
If the unmarked enemy aircraft, mirrored visors and carefully evasive language of Joseph Kosinksi’s “Top Gun: Maverick” tell us anything, it’s that Hollywood has learned to avoid political specifics in the delivery of grandstanding blockbuster entertainment. So one can be forgiven for coming to “Rebel” with hackles raised and offence-o-meters on red alert, as it milks Hollywoodish action-movie thrills (and even a few surreal musical numbers) from the highly charged scenario of one young Belgian’s recruitment into a Syrian Isis cell. But there’s an unabashed sincerity in how directing team Adil & Bilall realize their foolhardy ambition to make a serious-minded cautionary tale in the guise of a flashy thrill-ride. You might even start to root for “Rebel,” rather like you would a circus elephant can-canning across a minefield, and managing with surprising dexterity to go quite some distance without blowing itself to bits.
At first it...
At first it...
- 6/6/2022
- by Jessica Kiang
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Here’s a first look at Rebel, the latest feature from Belgian directing duo Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah (Bad Boys For Life), which is screening in the Midnight Section at the 75th Cannes Film Festival this month.
It’s a personal story from the Moroccan-born directors, who also wrote the script along with Jan Van Dyck and Kevin Meul. Rebel follows Kamal, who resolves to change his life for the better when he leaves Belgium to help war victims in Syria. But, having arrived, he is forced to join the militia and is left stranded in Raqqa. Back home, his younger brother Nassim quickly becomes easy prey for radical recruiters who promise to reunite him with his brother. Their mother, Leila, fights to protect the only thing she has left: her youngest son.
“I consider this to be our most personal movie out of all the movies we’ve done,...
It’s a personal story from the Moroccan-born directors, who also wrote the script along with Jan Van Dyck and Kevin Meul. Rebel follows Kamal, who resolves to change his life for the better when he leaves Belgium to help war victims in Syria. But, having arrived, he is forced to join the militia and is left stranded in Raqqa. Back home, his younger brother Nassim quickly becomes easy prey for radical recruiters who promise to reunite him with his brother. Their mother, Leila, fights to protect the only thing she has left: her youngest son.
“I consider this to be our most personal movie out of all the movies we’ve done,...
- 5/4/2022
- by Diana Lodderhose
- Deadline Film + TV
Mohamed Diab is an Egyptian screenwriter and filmmaker and the mastermind behind lauded films like “Cairo 678” (2010) and slightly gimmicky “Clash” (2016) that is completely set inside a police van during the riots. His latest work “Amira” (2021), done through a co-production arrangement of three countries, while set in Gaza Strip, also came with significant festival reputation (it premiered at Venice) and several awards (most significantly from Rome International Film Festival). Most recently, it was screened at Osaka Asian Film Festival.
Amira is screening at Osaka Asian Film Festival
The titular character played by Tara Abboud is a teenage girl interested in photography who thinks she can be sure of her roots. Her father Nawar, whom she dutifully visits in the notorious Meggido prison in Israel (where he serves the life sentence for terrorism) has the status of a Palestinian freedom fighter. Nawar’s family takes care of Amira and her mother...
Amira is screening at Osaka Asian Film Festival
The titular character played by Tara Abboud is a teenage girl interested in photography who thinks she can be sure of her roots. Her father Nawar, whom she dutifully visits in the notorious Meggido prison in Israel (where he serves the life sentence for terrorism) has the status of a Palestinian freedom fighter. Nawar’s family takes care of Amira and her mother...
- 3/18/2022
- by Marko Stojiljković
- AsianMoviePulse
Gemma Arterton and Eddie Izzard are the latest additions to the original Disney series ‘Culprits.’
Also joining Arterton and Izzard on the cast list are Kirby Howell-Baptiste (“Cruella”) who plays Officer, Niamh Algar (“Deceit”, “Raised by Wolves”) who plays Psycho, Kamel El Basha (“The Insult”) who plays Youssef, newcomer Tara Abboud who plays Azar, Kevin Vidal (“Strays”, “Working Moms”) who plays Jules, Ned Dennehy who plays Devil.
The eight-episode series, which is described as a darkly funny, whip-smart series follows the aftermath of a heist follows what happens after a heist, when the crew have gone their separate ways, but are being targeted by a killer one by one.
Also in news – R.I.P Ivan Reitman
The series comes from series from acclaimed executive producer Stephen Garrett (The Undoing; The Night Manager) and film-maker J Blakeson. Directors for the series are J Blakeson and Claire Oakley (“Make Up”) who...
Also joining Arterton and Izzard on the cast list are Kirby Howell-Baptiste (“Cruella”) who plays Officer, Niamh Algar (“Deceit”, “Raised by Wolves”) who plays Psycho, Kamel El Basha (“The Insult”) who plays Youssef, newcomer Tara Abboud who plays Azar, Kevin Vidal (“Strays”, “Working Moms”) who plays Jules, Ned Dennehy who plays Devil.
The eight-episode series, which is described as a darkly funny, whip-smart series follows the aftermath of a heist follows what happens after a heist, when the crew have gone their separate ways, but are being targeted by a killer one by one.
Also in news – R.I.P Ivan Reitman
The series comes from series from acclaimed executive producer Stephen Garrett (The Undoing; The Night Manager) and film-maker J Blakeson. Directors for the series are J Blakeson and Claire Oakley (“Make Up”) who...
- 2/15/2022
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
The series will shoot in Canada, UK and Spain.
Gemma Arterton and Niamh Algar have joined the cast of Disney+ original UK series Culprits, alongisde 2020 Screen Arab Star of Tomorrow Tara Abboud, with production underway.
Further cast announcements include Eddie Izzard, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, Kamel El Basha, Kevin Vidal and Ned Dennehy. They join the previously announced lead, Nathan Stewart-Jarrett, most recently seen in Nia DaCosta’s Candyman.
The eight-part dark comedy follows the aftermath of a heist, as the crew find themselves individually targeted by a killer. The directors for the series are J Blakeson and Claire Oakley, and is...
Gemma Arterton and Niamh Algar have joined the cast of Disney+ original UK series Culprits, alongisde 2020 Screen Arab Star of Tomorrow Tara Abboud, with production underway.
Further cast announcements include Eddie Izzard, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, Kamel El Basha, Kevin Vidal and Ned Dennehy. They join the previously announced lead, Nathan Stewart-Jarrett, most recently seen in Nia DaCosta’s Candyman.
The eight-part dark comedy follows the aftermath of a heist, as the crew find themselves individually targeted by a killer. The directors for the series are J Blakeson and Claire Oakley, and is...
- 2/15/2022
- by Mona Tabbara
- ScreenDaily
Gemma Arterton has joined the cast of J Blakeson’s upcoming Disney+ heist series Culprits alongside Eddie Izzard and a string of other big names, with principal photography kicking off this week.
Cruella’s Kirby Howell-Baptiste also has boarded along with Deceit’s Niamh Algar, The Insult’s Kamel El Basha, newcomer Tara Abboud, Ned Dennehy (Good Omens) and Kevin Vidal (Strays).
The King’s Man and Black Narcissus star Arterton will play Dianne, a member of a heist crew which is being targeted one-by-one by a killer after each went their separate ways.
Generation’s Nathan Stewart-Jarrett was revealed in the lead role of Joe when the show was announced as one of Disney vertical Star’s debut UK originals last year, alongside Sally Wainwright’s The Ballad of Renegade Nell and Emma Moran’s Extraordinary.
Principal photography began this week.
Culprits creator Blakeson has come off the back...
Cruella’s Kirby Howell-Baptiste also has boarded along with Deceit’s Niamh Algar, The Insult’s Kamel El Basha, newcomer Tara Abboud, Ned Dennehy (Good Omens) and Kevin Vidal (Strays).
The King’s Man and Black Narcissus star Arterton will play Dianne, a member of a heist crew which is being targeted one-by-one by a killer after each went their separate ways.
Generation’s Nathan Stewart-Jarrett was revealed in the lead role of Joe when the show was announced as one of Disney vertical Star’s debut UK originals last year, alongside Sally Wainwright’s The Ballad of Renegade Nell and Emma Moran’s Extraordinary.
Principal photography began this week.
Culprits creator Blakeson has come off the back...
- 2/15/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Gemma Arterton (“The King’s Man”) and Kirby Howell-Baptiste (“The Good Place”) have joined the cast of Disney Plus series “Culprits.”
Described as a “dark and funny heist series,” the show follows the aftermath of a heist, with the crew being picked off one-by-one by what appears to be a serial killer. Principal photography has already kicked off.
“Candyman’s” Nathan Stewart-Jarrett has previously been announced as the eight-episode show’s lead, Joe.
Arterton will play Dianne while Howell-Baptiste will play Officer.
Joining them are Niamh Algar (“Deceit”) as Psycho, Kamel El Basha (“The Insult”) as Youssef, newcomer Tara Abboud as Azar, Kevin Vidal (“Strays”) as Jules, Ned Dennehy (“Good Omens”) as Devil and Eddie Izzard (“Victoria and Abdul”) as Vincent.
“Cuprits” is a Character 7 production.
It is executive produced by Stephen Garrett (“The Undoing”) and filmmaker J. Blakeson (“I Care A Lot”). Johanna Devereaux will executive produce for Disney Plus.
Described as a “dark and funny heist series,” the show follows the aftermath of a heist, with the crew being picked off one-by-one by what appears to be a serial killer. Principal photography has already kicked off.
“Candyman’s” Nathan Stewart-Jarrett has previously been announced as the eight-episode show’s lead, Joe.
Arterton will play Dianne while Howell-Baptiste will play Officer.
Joining them are Niamh Algar (“Deceit”) as Psycho, Kamel El Basha (“The Insult”) as Youssef, newcomer Tara Abboud as Azar, Kevin Vidal (“Strays”) as Jules, Ned Dennehy (“Good Omens”) as Devil and Eddie Izzard (“Victoria and Abdul”) as Vincent.
“Cuprits” is a Character 7 production.
It is executive produced by Stephen Garrett (“The Undoing”) and filmmaker J. Blakeson (“I Care A Lot”). Johanna Devereaux will executive produce for Disney Plus.
- 2/15/2022
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
Jordan’s Royal Film Commission has withdraw Oscar hopeful Amira from the 2022 Oscar race following a backlash over the film’s subject.
The Venice Film Festival drama from acclaimed filmmaker Mohamed Diab (Clash) deals with the issue of children conceived with sperm smuggled from prisoners in Israeli jails. In the film, a Palestinian girl’s world is turned upside down when she learns the man she grew up idolizing is not her real father and in fact she was conceived by sperm from an Israeli prison guard rather than a Palestinian prisoner.
The movie’s selection for Best International Film consideration has sparked a backlash among families of Palestinian prisoners and organizations working on prisoners’ rights. The anger has spread on social media.
In a message sent to Jordanian news services today, the Film Commission said: “We do believe in the artistic value of the film, and that its message...
The Venice Film Festival drama from acclaimed filmmaker Mohamed Diab (Clash) deals with the issue of children conceived with sperm smuggled from prisoners in Israeli jails. In the film, a Palestinian girl’s world is turned upside down when she learns the man she grew up idolizing is not her real father and in fact she was conceived by sperm from an Israeli prison guard rather than a Palestinian prisoner.
The movie’s selection for Best International Film consideration has sparked a backlash among families of Palestinian prisoners and organizations working on prisoners’ rights. The anger has spread on social media.
In a message sent to Jordanian news services today, the Film Commission said: “We do believe in the artistic value of the film, and that its message...
- 12/9/2021
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
In our fifth edition of Arab Stars of Tomorrow, Screen International puts the spotlight on six emerging Middle Eastern and North African talents.
In our fifth edition of Arab Stars of Tomorrow, Screen International puts the spotlight on six emerging Middle Eastern and North African talents in the fields of acting and directing.
This year’s selection features Egyptian actress Bassant Ahmed, Kuwaiti filmmaker Maysaa Almumin, Emirati actor Khalifa Al-Jassem, Tunisian actress Zbeida Belhajamor, Saudi director Sara Mesfer and Sudanese actor Mustafa Shehata.
For the third year running, the edition has been organised in cooperation with the Cairo International Film Festival.
In our fifth edition of Arab Stars of Tomorrow, Screen International puts the spotlight on six emerging Middle Eastern and North African talents in the fields of acting and directing.
This year’s selection features Egyptian actress Bassant Ahmed, Kuwaiti filmmaker Maysaa Almumin, Emirati actor Khalifa Al-Jassem, Tunisian actress Zbeida Belhajamor, Saudi director Sara Mesfer and Sudanese actor Mustafa Shehata.
For the third year running, the edition has been organised in cooperation with the Cairo International Film Festival.
- 12/2/2021
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- ScreenDaily
Since 2012, more than 100 children have been conceived using the smuggled-out sperm of incarcerated Palestinians — or so it is claimed by the end titles of Mohamed Diab’s “Amira.” But here, this phenomenon, the mechanics of which make for a genuinely riveting first act, is somehow judged not dramatically fertile enough to carry an entire film. Instead, Diab’s increasingly tin-eared, hysterical story, co-written with his siblings Khaled and Sherin Diab, devolves into a socio-politically dubious and narratively nonsensical muddle, which may actually be a disguised blessing. The portrait of Palestinian identity it finally presents is so superficial and regressive that its saving grace is that it’s also very difficult to believe.
Proud “daughter of a hero,” 17-year-old Amira (Tara Abboud) knows she was conceived in this unconventional manner. Her freedom-fighter father Nawar married her mother Warda (Saba Mubarak) while already serving out his sentence in an Israeli prison. Husband...
Proud “daughter of a hero,” 17-year-old Amira (Tara Abboud) knows she was conceived in this unconventional manner. Her freedom-fighter father Nawar married her mother Warda (Saba Mubarak) while already serving out his sentence in an Israeli prison. Husband...
- 10/28/2021
- by Jessica Kiang
- Variety Film + TV
Return of the studios, UK and Italian presence, a new section… and what about Covid?
Venice Film Festival director Alberto Barbera and Venice Biennale president Roberto Cicutto today unveiled the line-up of the 78th edition (September 1-11).
The talking points to emerge include fewer female directors than last year, what the Covid-19 safety measues will be, the return of the studios and Netflix, and tentative awards season chatter.
Hotly-tipped 2020 titles find a festival home
Like Cannes, Venice will showcase a raft of films that have been waiting in the wings since early 2020 due to the pandemic. Notably, French director Stephane Brizé’s Another World,...
Venice Film Festival director Alberto Barbera and Venice Biennale president Roberto Cicutto today unveiled the line-up of the 78th edition (September 1-11).
The talking points to emerge include fewer female directors than last year, what the Covid-19 safety measues will be, the return of the studios and Netflix, and tentative awards season chatter.
Hotly-tipped 2020 titles find a festival home
Like Cannes, Venice will showcase a raft of films that have been waiting in the wings since early 2020 due to the pandemic. Notably, French director Stephane Brizé’s Another World,...
- 7/26/2021
- by Ben Dalton¬Melanie Goodfellow
- ScreenDaily
Arab Stars of Tomorrow spotlights six talents from the Middle East and North Africa who are making their mark on the global stage.
In our fourth edition of Arab Stars of Tomorrow, Screen International celebrates six of the most exciting talents to emerge this year from the Middle East and North Africa. Egyptian director Sameh Alaa, Palestinian-Jordanian actress Tara Abboud, Saudi director Hana Al Omair, Lebanese actress Stephanie Atala, Moroccan actor Brice Bexter El Glaoui and Algerian actor Mehdi Ramdani are the breakout names of 2020.
Click on the links below to read the profiles of this year’s stars, and...
In our fourth edition of Arab Stars of Tomorrow, Screen International celebrates six of the most exciting talents to emerge this year from the Middle East and North Africa. Egyptian director Sameh Alaa, Palestinian-Jordanian actress Tara Abboud, Saudi director Hana Al Omair, Lebanese actress Stephanie Atala, Moroccan actor Brice Bexter El Glaoui and Algerian actor Mehdi Ramdani are the breakout names of 2020.
Click on the links below to read the profiles of this year’s stars, and...
- 12/8/2020
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- ScreenDaily
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