The Mohammed Assaf biopic, The Idol, will have its UAE premiere at the Dubai International Film Festival, which begins on December 9.
The Palestinian singer and 2013 Arab Idol winner revealed the news exclusively to The National at the film's European premiere at The London Film Festival on Monday.
“That’s the plan,” he says. “We have a Doha festival to come within the next month and then we will show in Dubai at the festival.”
The Idol producer Ali Jaafar said a general UAE release could follow as early as December.
“We are looking at before the end of the year – we haven’t quite tied down the release date yet,” he says. “It could be a Christmas movie but it might slip to January – but we want to get it out as quick as possible.
“We are proud of the film. We want audiences to enjoy it, we want to take their mind off the difficulties in the region for a couple of hours.”
Jaffar says there are big plans for the film’s regional release.
"We want to treat it as a big movie," he says. "It's not Batman, but certainly the kind of film that will go to multiple screens, day and date, a real campaign. [Dubai based broadcaster] MBC will be critical for that because they will be supporting the film with TV Spots. We want posters up weeks in advance, not just the day before – we want to treat the film with respect and hopefully the audience will react."
The Diff screening was not the only big reveal on Monday night – Assaf chose the event, at the VUE West End Cinema at Leicster Square, to step out for the first time in public with his fiancée, Palestinian television presenter Lina Qishawi. It was the first time the couple has officially been seen together since announcing their engagement in September.
“For sure, I would love my fiancé to share this success with me right now,” he said. “She’s so sweet and beautiful and the most important thing right now is to keep her happy.”
Also at the premiere were acclaimed Palestinian actor Saleh Bakri and British musician, producer and frequent U2 and Coldplay collaborator, Brian Eno.
“I’m very interested in the Palestinian issue and that is why I got involved in this,” Eno said.
“I also like Arabic music a lot and I heard about his winning Arab Idol and I heard the music and there was interest from that point of view too.”
The Idol's director, Hany Abu-Assad, also walked the red carpet.
“It’s so exciting to premier in London,” he says. “I’m curious to see the reaction and I’m always very nervous to watch the film on the screen.”
He said that it was a joy to work with Assaf in preparing the film: “He has a lovely spirit and he’s also funny.”
The Idol enjoyed a warm reception in London, with two sold out screenings. It received a rapturous reception when the end credits rolled, and the screening was followed by a question-and-answer session with Jaafar and Assaf.
“I’m very proud of the film,” Assaf says. “It’s not just my life story, it’s also about a great section of Palestinians, especially in Gaza.”
Assaf’s busy night didn’t end there. After the premiere he was whisked off for a post-premiere dinner and celebration at trendy London night spot Cafe de Paris
There, Brian Eno took to the stage with the British Pakistani politician and lawyer Baroness Warsi to introduce the singer. Warsi, who quit her cabinet position in August last year over the British government’s policy on Gaza, made a heartfelt speech in which she praised Assaf for his work with the United Nations and advised him to remain true to his principals.
Assaf then took to the stage, thanking the organisations and individuals who made the film possible, before performing a four-song set, complete with an impromptu encore.
The London premiere marks another milestone in the film’s journey, following the success of its world premiere in Toronto last month. The next stop will be when it opens the Ajyal Youth Film Festival on November 29.
However, Abu Assad says the UAE premiere will be the most emotional for him.
“Because it’s home,” he says. “Home always feels special.”
[ artslife@thenational.ae ]
