Netflix’s first ever Arabic film, a remake of the Italian hit “Perfect Strangers,” has quickly hit No. 1 in several countries across the Middle East and won critical acclaim, but it’s also been the subject of controversy and outrage from more conservative citizens and even lawmakers in Egypt.
Attacks on social media against one of the film’s Egyptian stars, Mona Zaki, spread online since its debut on Jan. 20. But the outrage came to a head when an Egyptian lawmaker, Mostafa Bakri, said in a TV interview (via the Washington Post) that the film was “targeting” family values. He even called for a special session of parliament to discuss whether “we should ban Netflix.”
A lawyer even filed a lawsuit against the Egyptian Ministry of Culture and the Artistic Works Censorship Authority, saying that the film “promotes homosexuality.” Egypt has cracked down on LGBTQ+ individuals and gay rights with...
Attacks on social media against one of the film’s Egyptian stars, Mona Zaki, spread online since its debut on Jan. 20. But the outrage came to a head when an Egyptian lawmaker, Mostafa Bakri, said in a TV interview (via the Washington Post) that the film was “targeting” family values. He even called for a special session of parliament to discuss whether “we should ban Netflix.”
A lawyer even filed a lawsuit against the Egyptian Ministry of Culture and the Artistic Works Censorship Authority, saying that the film “promotes homosexuality.” Egypt has cracked down on LGBTQ+ individuals and gay rights with...
- 1/26/2022
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Netflix has boarded the upcoming Arabic-language version of hit movie property Perfect Strangers, which becomes the streamer’s first Arabic-language Original movie.
The 18th national remake of the smash Italian movie stars Lebanese icon Nadine Labaki, Egyptian star Mona Zaki, Eyad Nassar, Georges Khabbaz, Adel Karam, Fouad Yammine and Diamand Abou Abboud.
The feature tells the story of seven close friends who get together for dinner and decide to play a game that involves them placing their cell phones on the dinner table, and agreeing to openly share every call, text and voice message as it comes. What starts out as fun, quickly unfolds into an uncharted path of untold secrets that reveals more than what they wish to share.
Netflix is lining up a 20 January 2022 release in 190 countries. Pic is produced by Front Row Filmed Entertainment, Film Clinic, Empire Entertainment and Yalla Yalla.
Also revealed today is that Middle...
The 18th national remake of the smash Italian movie stars Lebanese icon Nadine Labaki, Egyptian star Mona Zaki, Eyad Nassar, Georges Khabbaz, Adel Karam, Fouad Yammine and Diamand Abou Abboud.
The feature tells the story of seven close friends who get together for dinner and decide to play a game that involves them placing their cell phones on the dinner table, and agreeing to openly share every call, text and voice message as it comes. What starts out as fun, quickly unfolds into an uncharted path of untold secrets that reveals more than what they wish to share.
Netflix is lining up a 20 January 2022 release in 190 countries. Pic is produced by Front Row Filmed Entertainment, Film Clinic, Empire Entertainment and Yalla Yalla.
Also revealed today is that Middle...
- 12/21/2021
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Three years after the first movie theater reopened in Saudi Arabia – following removal of a religion-related ban – the kingdom has become the top theatrical market in the Middle East and is turning into a major driver for Arabic film production.
“At the moment Saudi is on a different path from the rest of the world,” says David Hancock, an analyst at London-based Omdia, which sees this new market as having the potential to be ranked among the top 10-15 territories for box office worldwide by 2024.
By 2024 Omdia estimates there will be 1,400 screens in Saudi Arabia, up from a current count of less than 300 screens in 2020 with more than 600 screens expected in 2021. In 2020 Saudi box office was up 3% to $115 million, bucking the downward trend in the rest of the world.
But besides growing box office and screen count, just like in other parts of the world such as China where there is moviegoing growth,...
“At the moment Saudi is on a different path from the rest of the world,” says David Hancock, an analyst at London-based Omdia, which sees this new market as having the potential to be ranked among the top 10-15 territories for box office worldwide by 2024.
By 2024 Omdia estimates there will be 1,400 screens in Saudi Arabia, up from a current count of less than 300 screens in 2020 with more than 600 screens expected in 2021. In 2020 Saudi box office was up 3% to $115 million, bucking the downward trend in the rest of the world.
But besides growing box office and screen count, just like in other parts of the world such as China where there is moviegoing growth,...
- 3/4/2021
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
An endangered musician in a Syrian town controlled by Isis must sell his beloved piano in order to escape the country in the gripping drama “Broken Keys.” It marks the feature debut of Columbia U.-trained, Lebanese writer-director Jimmy Keyrouz. Inspired by real events, the feature is an expansion of his 2016 Student Academy Award-winning short “Nocturne in Black.” Now boasting a score by Keyrouz’s famous compatriot Gabriel Yared and a Cannes 2020 label designation, the film combines real-life crisis, potent emotion and an ending of stunning defiance making it a strong entry for Lebanon in the Academy’s international feature competition.
In Sekka, twentysomething pianist Karim shares a bombed-out building with his cousin Maya (Sara Abi Kanaan), an aspiring law student, and many other neighbors of assorted ages and occupations, some of whom belong to an underground resistance opposing Isis. Since playing or listening to music is one of many...
In Sekka, twentysomething pianist Karim shares a bombed-out building with his cousin Maya (Sara Abi Kanaan), an aspiring law student, and many other neighbors of assorted ages and occupations, some of whom belong to an underground resistance opposing Isis. Since playing or listening to music is one of many...
- 1/29/2021
- by Alissa Simon
- Variety Film + TV
Cameras are set to roll in February on the long delayed Arabic adaptation of hit Italian concept movie “Perfect Strangers” with a high-caliber ensemble cast now in place comprising star Lebanese director/actor Nadine Labaki (“Capernaum”).
After being postponed due to both Covid-19 and political turmoil in Lebanon, the latest in a slew of remakes of the dramedy involving cellphones and personal secrets, is now on track for principal photography to start February 2. It will be directed by Lebanese first-timer Wissam Smayra who has co-written the Arabic “Perfect Strangers” screenplay with Gabriel Yammine.
Along with Labaki, the pan-Arabic “Perfect Strangers” cast also features Egypt’s Mona Zaki; Egypt-based Jordanian actor/director Eyad Nassar (“The Blue Elephant 2”); Lebanon’s Diamand Bou Abboud (“The Fixer”), Adel Karam (“The Insult”), and fellow Lebanese actor/director/playwright/composer Georges Khabbaz, who co-wrote “Capernaum.”
The original “Perfect Strangers” was directed by Italy’s Paolo Genovese...
After being postponed due to both Covid-19 and political turmoil in Lebanon, the latest in a slew of remakes of the dramedy involving cellphones and personal secrets, is now on track for principal photography to start February 2. It will be directed by Lebanese first-timer Wissam Smayra who has co-written the Arabic “Perfect Strangers” screenplay with Gabriel Yammine.
Along with Labaki, the pan-Arabic “Perfect Strangers” cast also features Egypt’s Mona Zaki; Egypt-based Jordanian actor/director Eyad Nassar (“The Blue Elephant 2”); Lebanon’s Diamand Bou Abboud (“The Fixer”), Adel Karam (“The Insult”), and fellow Lebanese actor/director/playwright/composer Georges Khabbaz, who co-wrote “Capernaum.”
The original “Perfect Strangers” was directed by Italy’s Paolo Genovese...
- 12/29/2020
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Cast has been set and shoot scheduled for the Arabic-language remake of Italian box office smash hit Perfect Strangers.
Lebanese actress and filmmaker Nadine Labaki (Capernaum) has been cast alongside Egyptian star Mona Zaki (30 Years Ago), Adel Karam (The Insult), Eyad Nassar (The Looming Tower), Diamand Bou Abboud (The Insult) and George Khabbaz (Under the Bombs).
Wissam Smayra is directing and co-wrote the screenplay with Gabriel Yammine. Producers are Gianluca Chakra, Mohamed Hefzy and Mario Haddad. Production companies are Front Row Filmed Entertainment, Empire Entertainment and Film-Clinic. Filming on the delayed pic, which has been postponed by Covid-19 and also political turmoil in Lebanon, has now been scheduled for February 2. Mayada Hiraki is executive producing.
Italian comedy-drama Perfect Strangers, released in 2016, was a box office hit, grossing north of $30M. The film has since achieved a Guinness World Record by becoming the most remade movie in history with 18 versions and...
Lebanese actress and filmmaker Nadine Labaki (Capernaum) has been cast alongside Egyptian star Mona Zaki (30 Years Ago), Adel Karam (The Insult), Eyad Nassar (The Looming Tower), Diamand Bou Abboud (The Insult) and George Khabbaz (Under the Bombs).
Wissam Smayra is directing and co-wrote the screenplay with Gabriel Yammine. Producers are Gianluca Chakra, Mohamed Hefzy and Mario Haddad. Production companies are Front Row Filmed Entertainment, Empire Entertainment and Film-Clinic. Filming on the delayed pic, which has been postponed by Covid-19 and also political turmoil in Lebanon, has now been scheduled for February 2. Mayada Hiraki is executive producing.
Italian comedy-drama Perfect Strangers, released in 2016, was a box office hit, grossing north of $30M. The film has since achieved a Guinness World Record by becoming the most remade movie in history with 18 versions and...
- 12/29/2020
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
Production, which was postponed twice in 2020 due to Covid-19 pandemic, to shoot in early 2021.
Dubai-based Front Row Entertainment, Beirut-based Empire International and Cairo-based Film Clinic have unveiled a high-profile cast for their upcoming Arabic-language remake of Italian comedy Perfect Strangers and announced early 2021 shooting dates.
The all-star cast will combine Lebanese talents Nadine Labaki, George Khabbaz, Adel Karam and Diamand Bou Abboud with Egyptian star Mona Zaki and Jordan’s Eyad Nassar, who is also a star of mainstream Egyptian cinema.
Produced by Medusa Film, Leone Film Group and Lotus Productions, Paolo Genovese’s comedy-drama Perfect Strangers grossed more than...
Dubai-based Front Row Entertainment, Beirut-based Empire International and Cairo-based Film Clinic have unveiled a high-profile cast for their upcoming Arabic-language remake of Italian comedy Perfect Strangers and announced early 2021 shooting dates.
The all-star cast will combine Lebanese talents Nadine Labaki, George Khabbaz, Adel Karam and Diamand Bou Abboud with Egyptian star Mona Zaki and Jordan’s Eyad Nassar, who is also a star of mainstream Egyptian cinema.
Produced by Medusa Film, Leone Film Group and Lotus Productions, Paolo Genovese’s comedy-drama Perfect Strangers grossed more than...
- 12/29/2020
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- ScreenDaily
Production, which was postponed twice in 2020 due to Covid-19 pandemic, to shoot in early 2021.
Dubai-based Front Row Entertainment, Beirut-based Empire International and Cairo-based Film Clinic have unveiled a high-profile cast for their upcoming Arabic-language remake of Italian comedy Perfect Strangers and announced early 2021 shooting dates.
The all-star cast will combine Lebanese talents Nadine Labaki, George Khabbaz, Adel Karam and Diamand Bou Abboud with Egyptian star Mona Zaki and Jordan’s Eyad Nassar, who is also a star of mainstream Egyptian cinema.
Produced by Medusa Film, Leone Film Group and Lotus Productions, Paolo Genovese’s comedy-drama Perfect Strangers grossed more than...
Dubai-based Front Row Entertainment, Beirut-based Empire International and Cairo-based Film Clinic have unveiled a high-profile cast for their upcoming Arabic-language remake of Italian comedy Perfect Strangers and announced early 2021 shooting dates.
The all-star cast will combine Lebanese talents Nadine Labaki, George Khabbaz, Adel Karam and Diamand Bou Abboud with Egyptian star Mona Zaki and Jordan’s Eyad Nassar, who is also a star of mainstream Egyptian cinema.
Produced by Medusa Film, Leone Film Group and Lotus Productions, Paolo Genovese’s comedy-drama Perfect Strangers grossed more than...
- 12/29/2020
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- ScreenDaily
Nadine Labaki, the Lebanese actress and filmmaker who landed an Oscar nomination as director of 2018’s record-smashing feature Capernaum, has been cast in the upcoming Arabic language remake of hit Italian drama Perfect Strangers.
Labaki joins an impressive lineup of Arabic stars, including Mona Zaki (30 Years Ago, Scheherazade: Tell Me A Story, Escaping Tel Aviv), Adel Karam (The Insult, Caramel, Netflix’s Live From Beirut), Eyad Nassar (The Looming Tower, Sons of Rizk 2, The Blue Elephant 2), Diamand Bou Abboud (The Insult, The Sculptor, The Fixer) and Lebanese legend, actor screen and playwright George Khabbaz (Under the Bombs, Ghadi, and co-writer of Capernaum).
First announced in late 2018, the Perfect ...
Labaki joins an impressive lineup of Arabic stars, including Mona Zaki (30 Years Ago, Scheherazade: Tell Me A Story, Escaping Tel Aviv), Adel Karam (The Insult, Caramel, Netflix’s Live From Beirut), Eyad Nassar (The Looming Tower, Sons of Rizk 2, The Blue Elephant 2), Diamand Bou Abboud (The Insult, The Sculptor, The Fixer) and Lebanese legend, actor screen and playwright George Khabbaz (Under the Bombs, Ghadi, and co-writer of Capernaum).
First announced in late 2018, the Perfect ...
- 12/29/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Nadine Labaki, the Lebanese actress and filmmaker who landed an Oscar nomination as director of 2018’s record-smashing feature Capernaum, has been cast in the upcoming Arabic language remake of hit Italian drama Perfect Strangers.
Labaki joins an impressive lineup of Arabic stars, including Mona Zaki (30 Years Ago, Scheherazade: Tell Me A Story, Escaping Tel Aviv), Adel Karam (The Insult, Caramel, Netflix’s Live From Beirut), Eyad Nassar (The Looming Tower, Sons of Rizk 2, The Blue Elephant 2), Diamand Bou Abboud (The Insult, The Sculptor, The Fixer) and Lebanese legend, actor screen and playwright George Khabbaz (Under the Bombs, Ghadi, and co-writer of Capernaum).
First announced in late 2018, the Perfect Strangers...
Labaki joins an impressive lineup of Arabic stars, including Mona Zaki (30 Years Ago, Scheherazade: Tell Me A Story, Escaping Tel Aviv), Adel Karam (The Insult, Caramel, Netflix’s Live From Beirut), Eyad Nassar (The Looming Tower, Sons of Rizk 2, The Blue Elephant 2), Diamand Bou Abboud (The Insult, The Sculptor, The Fixer) and Lebanese legend, actor screen and playwright George Khabbaz (Under the Bombs, Ghadi, and co-writer of Capernaum).
First announced in late 2018, the Perfect Strangers...
- 12/29/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Netflix has set “Jinn” as its first Arabic-language original series, a coming-of-age teen drama with supernatural elements that began production Monday in Amman, Jordan. The six-episode series is expected to be available to Netflix members worldwide in 2019.
Until now, Netflix’s only announcement of original content in Arabic has been of a stand-up comedy special with Lebanese comedian and actor Adel Karam. Analysts say lack of local content has held back the streaming giant’s growth in the Middle East.
Produced by Kabreet Productions, “Jinn” is directed and executive produced by rising star Mir-Jean Bou Chaaya (“Very Big Shot”) and executive produced by Elan and Rajeev Dassani (“Seam”), with Elan Dassani serving as head writer. Rajeev Dassani contributed to the writing alongside Amin Matalqa (“Captain Abu Raed”), who is directing the last three episodes.
“Jinn” follows a group of Arab teenagers as their friendships and budding romances are tested when...
Until now, Netflix’s only announcement of original content in Arabic has been of a stand-up comedy special with Lebanese comedian and actor Adel Karam. Analysts say lack of local content has held back the streaming giant’s growth in the Middle East.
Produced by Kabreet Productions, “Jinn” is directed and executive produced by rising star Mir-Jean Bou Chaaya (“Very Big Shot”) and executive produced by Elan and Rajeev Dassani (“Seam”), with Elan Dassani serving as head writer. Rajeev Dassani contributed to the writing alongside Amin Matalqa (“Captain Abu Raed”), who is directing the last three episodes.
“Jinn” follows a group of Arab teenagers as their friendships and budding romances are tested when...
- 8/13/2018
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Young Saudi comedian Hisham Fageeh in 2013 posted a satirical video on YouTube titled “No Woman, No Drive,” set to Bob Marley’s iconic song “No Woman, No Cry.” Within days, it got 13 million hits, becoming the country’s most popular YouTube video and perhaps helped the movement to strike down Saudi’s ban on female motorists in late 2017.
There is a thriving stand-up comedy scene across the Arab world. It’s being driven by YouTube, Twitter and Western formats including “Saturday Night Live” and also channels such as Viacom’s Comedy Central, which is going strong. Netflix’s first non-scripted original, now streaming, is a special on Lebanese comedian and actor Adel Karam, live from Beirut’s Casino du Libyan spouting on issues ranging from social norms and food to colonoscopies and porn.
In the special, Karam, who stars in Lebanon’s Oscar-nommed drama “The Insult,” managed to steer clear...
There is a thriving stand-up comedy scene across the Arab world. It’s being driven by YouTube, Twitter and Western formats including “Saturday Night Live” and also channels such as Viacom’s Comedy Central, which is going strong. Netflix’s first non-scripted original, now streaming, is a special on Lebanese comedian and actor Adel Karam, live from Beirut’s Casino du Libyan spouting on issues ranging from social norms and food to colonoscopies and porn.
In the special, Karam, who stars in Lebanon’s Oscar-nommed drama “The Insult,” managed to steer clear...
- 4/9/2018
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Netflix has confirmed that a slew of new original series will be debuting on the streaming service in March. There will also be new to Netflix seasons of some of your favorites from other networks. Likewise, there will be plenty of movies making their first Netflix appearances including the reboot of “Ghostbusters” and all the films in the “Cruel Intentions” franchise.
Of the new Netflix originals, several stand out as particularly binge-worthy, including the sophomore seasons of the Marvel series “Jessica Jones,” the Drew Barrymore laffer “Santa Clarita Diet,” and “A Series of Unfortunate Events.” And there are episodes of both the new David Letterman and Joel Hale talk shows as well as a comedy special from Ricky Gervais.
Available March 1
300
21 Thunder: Season 1 Netflix Original Series
2307: Winter’s Dream
Adel Karam: Live from Beirut Netflix Original
Adventureland
Algo Muy Gordo
Alpha and Omega
Battle Drone
Beerfest
Casino
Cruel...
Of the new Netflix originals, several stand out as particularly binge-worthy, including the sophomore seasons of the Marvel series “Jessica Jones,” the Drew Barrymore laffer “Santa Clarita Diet,” and “A Series of Unfortunate Events.” And there are episodes of both the new David Letterman and Joel Hale talk shows as well as a comedy special from Ricky Gervais.
Available March 1
300
21 Thunder: Season 1 Netflix Original Series
2307: Winter’s Dream
Adel Karam: Live from Beirut Netflix Original
Adventureland
Algo Muy Gordo
Alpha and Omega
Battle Drone
Beerfest
Casino
Cruel...
- 2/28/2018
- by Paul Sheehan
- Gold Derby
As time marches on and tedium vitae sets in more and more with each passing day, we find ourselves with fewer ways to distract ourselves from the encroaching existential malaise. But wait — what’s that you say? All three “Cruel Intentions” movies are coming to Netflix next month? Maybe it’s not so bad after all.
Yes, dear reader, the benevolent streaming gods have once again announced the titles that we’ll be able to watch from the comfort of our own fainting couches once this month gives way to the next, and it isn’t just Sarah Michelle Gellar and Ryan Phillippe who will be keeping us company.
Some other titles that will make their way onto many viewers’ lists and maybe even be watched include “Adventureland,” “Casino,” “The Descent,” “Forgetting Sarah Marshall,” “Ghostbusters,” “Jackass: Number Two” (two words: butt chug), “Let Me In,” “Moon,” “Revolutionary Road,” and “Wet Hot American Summer.
Yes, dear reader, the benevolent streaming gods have once again announced the titles that we’ll be able to watch from the comfort of our own fainting couches once this month gives way to the next, and it isn’t just Sarah Michelle Gellar and Ryan Phillippe who will be keeping us company.
Some other titles that will make their way onto many viewers’ lists and maybe even be watched include “Adventureland,” “Casino,” “The Descent,” “Forgetting Sarah Marshall,” “Ghostbusters,” “Jackass: Number Two” (two words: butt chug), “Let Me In,” “Moon,” “Revolutionary Road,” and “Wet Hot American Summer.
- 2/22/2018
- by Michael Nordine
- Indiewire
Plan your binge-watching accordingly. On Thursday, Netflix announced which film and TV titles will become available to stream in the month of March. The company's catalogue includes dozens of licensed properties, as well as original comedy specials, movies and television series. As E! News exclusively revealed Tuesday, Ghostbusters and Ghostbusters II will be among them. Here's the complete list of titles that are coming to Netflix in March 2018: Available 3/1/18 300 21 Thunder: Season 1 2307: Winter's Dream Adel Karam: Live from Beirut Adventureland Algo Muy Gordo Alpha and Omega Battle Drone...
- 2/22/2018
- E! Online
The idea for “The Insult” originated from a real life event much like the one that starts the film. While living in Beirut, Lebanon, director Ziad Doueiri was watering plants on his balcony when the broken gutter sprayed someone. Doueiri exchanged words with the stranger, but later apologized. “A couple of days later I started thinking this thing could’ve really gone out of control,” he recalls. “The thing could’ve become very, very dangerous.” So he thought, “What if I start my story in a similar way, where the film starts with a very similar incident, very insignificant, and instead of it getting fixed or resolved, it gets complicated?” But the conflicts weren’t limited to the action on-screen. The filmmaker faced political resistance off-screen as well. Watch our exclusive video interview with Doueiri above.
See 2018 Oscar nominations: Full list of Academy Awards nominees in all 24 categories
“The Insult...
See 2018 Oscar nominations: Full list of Academy Awards nominees in all 24 categories
“The Insult...
- 2/13/2018
- by Zach Laws
- Gold Derby
The five Oscar nominees for Best Foreign Language Film have been revealed and, as is usual for the foreign-language film branch, they’ve thrown us a few curveballs. When the shortlist of nine semi-finalists was revealed in December, Oscar pundits were surprised when Cannes favorite “Bpm (Beats Per Minute),” the French entry, was left off the list. But even more surprising when the final five nominees were announced was that the powerhouse Argentinian entry “Foxtrot” was snubbed, as well as this year’s Golden Globe winner “In the Fade,” starring Cannes Best Actress winner Diane Kruger.
Still, we have a strong race for this year’s Best Foreign Language Film Oscar. So let’s take a closer look at the final five contenders for Oscars 2018, in order of their current Gold Derby odds.
1. “A Fantastic Woman” (Chile); current Gold Derby odds 4/9
Sebastian Lelio‘s acclaimed film from Chile focuses on...
Still, we have a strong race for this year’s Best Foreign Language Film Oscar. So let’s take a closer look at the final five contenders for Oscars 2018, in order of their current Gold Derby odds.
1. “A Fantastic Woman” (Chile); current Gold Derby odds 4/9
Sebastian Lelio‘s acclaimed film from Chile focuses on...
- 2/3/2018
- by Tom O'Brien
- Gold Derby
Chicago – The clash of ideologies or religion that result in war is one of the most emotional of reasons to fight (and convenient for those who manipulate such emotions). “The Insult,” a contender for Best Foreign Language Film at the Oscars, shows how feelings can escalate to bitter conflict.
Rating: 4.0/5.0
The film is set in Beirut, Lebanon, that is building towards a safe harbor for their citizens in a post-war era… especially the Palestinian refugees. But this is not without consequence, and it’s illustrated through a confrontation between a Christian Party mechanic and a Palestinian construction worker. What starts as an exchange of misunderstood insults, becomes a trial of the century, and a powder keg with a burning fuse for the broader opposing factions in Lebanon. Exquisitely acted and highly moral, the film creates human representatives for long-simmering resentments, and holds up that humanity to the light.
Tony Hanna...
Rating: 4.0/5.0
The film is set in Beirut, Lebanon, that is building towards a safe harbor for their citizens in a post-war era… especially the Palestinian refugees. But this is not without consequence, and it’s illustrated through a confrontation between a Christian Party mechanic and a Palestinian construction worker. What starts as an exchange of misunderstood insults, becomes a trial of the century, and a powder keg with a burning fuse for the broader opposing factions in Lebanon. Exquisitely acted and highly moral, the film creates human representatives for long-simmering resentments, and holds up that humanity to the light.
Tony Hanna...
- 2/2/2018
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Adel Karam as Tony (left) and Kamel El Basha as Yasser (right) in The Insult, directed by Ziad Doueiri. Courtesy of the Cohen Media Group.
A personal dispute between two men in Beirut, one Christian Lebanese and the other Palestinian, escalates into a highly-charged and very public trial that unearths unresolved social and political issues throughout Lebanon that have been simmering since the civil war ended in 1990.
The Oscar-nominated The Insult was Lebanon’s entry for the Academy Awards, and is a strong contender for the award in the Best Foreign-Language film category. Director Ziad Doueiri’s courtroom drama spotlights the resentment of some Christian Lebanese towards the Palestinian refugees who poured over their border from Israel and played a role in their civil role. The immigration issue is a universal topic that will strike a familiar note in this country, but the well-crafted, nuanced drama brings out tensions still simmering in Lebanese society,...
A personal dispute between two men in Beirut, one Christian Lebanese and the other Palestinian, escalates into a highly-charged and very public trial that unearths unresolved social and political issues throughout Lebanon that have been simmering since the civil war ended in 1990.
The Oscar-nominated The Insult was Lebanon’s entry for the Academy Awards, and is a strong contender for the award in the Best Foreign-Language film category. Director Ziad Doueiri’s courtroom drama spotlights the resentment of some Christian Lebanese towards the Palestinian refugees who poured over their border from Israel and played a role in their civil role. The immigration issue is a universal topic that will strike a familiar note in this country, but the well-crafted, nuanced drama brings out tensions still simmering in Lebanese society,...
- 2/2/2018
- by Cate Marquis
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Its Oscar nomination this week as Best Foreign-Language Film isn't the only thing that makes The Insult a must-see – Lebanese filmmaker Ziad Doueiri's legal thriller fairly crackles with timely provocations. And don't be put off if the film's structure initially seems schematic to a fault. This is a director who's more than adept at filling in the spaces between feuding characters with insinuating nuance.
The conflict starts when Tony Hanna (Adel Karam), a Christian garage owner with a pregnant wife, Shirine (Rita Hayek), gets all up in the face...
The conflict starts when Tony Hanna (Adel Karam), a Christian garage owner with a pregnant wife, Shirine (Rita Hayek), gets all up in the face...
- 1/25/2018
- Rollingstone.com
The Insult (L’insulte) Cohen Media Group Director: Ziad Doueiri Written by: Ziad Doueiri, Joëlle Touma Cast: Adel Karam, Rita Hayek, Kamel El Basha, Christine Choueiri, Camille Salamé, Diamand Bou Abboud, Georges Daou Screened at: Critics’ link, NYC, 1/7/18 Opens: January 26, 2018 Sometimes a judicial case causes repercussions well beyond the courtroom. Consider how the […]
The post The Insult Movie Review appeared first on Shockya.com.
The post The Insult Movie Review appeared first on Shockya.com.
- 1/21/2018
- by Harvey Karten
- ShockYa
"It's about the truth." "Which truth?" Cohen Media Group has released the official Us trailer for a Lebanese film titled The Insult, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival this fall. This film is a radical, dramatic profile of the division and tensions in Lebanon, specifically between the two prominent religious groups - Christians and Muslims. Set in Beirut, the story begins when a local man insults a construction worker, and then their tiny verbal spat blows completely out of proportion, almost causing a war in the entire country. From the director of The Attack, The Insult stars Adel Karam, Kamel El Basha, Camille Salameh, Rita Hayek, Christine Choueiri, Diamand Bou Abboud, and Georges Daou. I caught this in Venice and it's a thrilling, intense film, but also very loud and flashy at times, with some weird twists in the second half (it turns into a court room legal battle...
- 12/4/2017
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Despite the fact that Ziad Doueiri’s (a crew member on some of Quentin Tarantino’s early works) latest film The Insult is set in Lebanon, the ensuing drama can’t help but feel familiar to what’s currently happening in America. As our president says bad things are happening on “both sides” and that there are “good people” being “wrongly maligned,” we know the truth. Or at least we should. Whether or not his words are objectively correct, they fail to acknowledge that those “good people” are aligning themselves with hateful, racist notions while hiding behind politics or religion as though either is a valid excuse for a lack of simple humanity. We’ve found ourselves defaulting towards sanctimony, declaring our beliefs righteous without a care for truth or context. And nothing can ever be solved if we remain too prideful to admit we are wrong.
The big difference...
The big difference...
- 9/8/2017
- by Jared Mobarak
- The Film Stage
It sounds like the setting of a “Curb Your Enthusiasm” episode: Two men from different cultural backgrounds exchange harsh words about an inconsequential issue that gets blown out of proportion, then deal with the fallout that just keeps coming. But Ziad Doueiri’s “The Insult” is anything but a cringe comedy. The Lebanese filmmaker’s followup to his masterful drama “The Attack” is a fascinating, parable-like exploration of the tension between two facets of Lebanon’s Arab community and the cross-cultural ramifications implied by their ridiculous feud. While it doesn’t quite justify the sprawling courtroom antics or the blunt metaphor they entail, the movie nevertheless provides a profound look at the effect of historical trauma on modern Lebanese society.
It doesn’t take long for the premise to take shape. Lebanese Christian Tony (Adel Karam) lives in an insular community where Palestinian refugee Yasser (Kamel El Basha) has been...
It doesn’t take long for the premise to take shape. Lebanese Christian Tony (Adel Karam) lives in an insular community where Palestinian refugee Yasser (Kamel El Basha) has been...
- 9/4/2017
- by Eric Kohn
- Indiewire
Title: The Insult Director: Ziad Doueri Cast: Adel Karam, Kamel El Basha, Camille Salameh, Diamand Bou Abboud, Rita Hayek, Talal Jurdi, Christine Choueiri, Julia Kassar, Rifaat Torbey and Carlos Chahine. How easy it is to portray political conflicts in a conciliatory way falling into the pit of excessively moral and benevolent behaviour. This is not […]
The post The Insult Movie Review (Venice Film Festival 2017) appeared first on Shockya.com.
The post The Insult Movie Review (Venice Film Festival 2017) appeared first on Shockya.com.
- 8/31/2017
- by Chiara Spagnoli Gabardi
- ShockYa
In order to make accurate predictions about the potential Cannes Film Festival lineup, it’s first important to explore which films definitely won’t make the cut. The glamorous French gathering is notorious for waiting until the last minute before locking in every slot for its Official Selection. That includes competition titles, out of competition titles, a small midnight section and the Un Certain Regard sidebar. Cannes announces the bulk of its selections in Paris on April 13, but until then, there are plenty of ways to make educated guesses. Much of the reporting surrounding the upcoming festival selection is simply lists of films expected to come out this year. However, certain movies are definitely not going to the festival for various reasons.
That’s why our own list of potentials doesn’t include “Image Et Parole,” Jean-Luc Godard’s followup to “Goodbye to Language,” which sales agent Wild Bunch now anticipates as a 2018 title.
That’s why our own list of potentials doesn’t include “Image Et Parole,” Jean-Luc Godard’s followup to “Goodbye to Language,” which sales agent Wild Bunch now anticipates as a 2018 title.
- 3/31/2017
- by Chris O'Falt, Eric Kohn, Jude Dry, Kate Erbland, Steve Greene and Zack Sharf
- Indiewire
Kirsten Howard Feb 21, 2018
This March on Netflix, you'll get Captain America: Civil War, Valerian, season 2 of Jessica Jones and Alex Garland's Annihilation...
As you probably already know, Netflix is a hugely popular streaming service that encourages binge-watching but also likes to check every now and then to see if you're still alive. It's nice like that.
See related Troy: Fall Of A City episode 1 review: Black Blood Troy: Fall Of A City - flipping the script on The Iliad Troy: Fall Of A City episode 1 spoiler-free review
There's a lot of new entertainment on the site every month, and we're going to compile it all for you here.
First up, the weekly series, slowly digested in reasonably-sized chunks:
Designated Survivor will return on the 1st, and Joel McHale's new news series will get underway. iZombie and Jane The Virgin will be back, and there'll also be more Black Lightning,...
This March on Netflix, you'll get Captain America: Civil War, Valerian, season 2 of Jessica Jones and Alex Garland's Annihilation...
As you probably already know, Netflix is a hugely popular streaming service that encourages binge-watching but also likes to check every now and then to see if you're still alive. It's nice like that.
See related Troy: Fall Of A City episode 1 review: Black Blood Troy: Fall Of A City - flipping the script on The Iliad Troy: Fall Of A City episode 1 spoiler-free review
There's a lot of new entertainment on the site every month, and we're going to compile it all for you here.
First up, the weekly series, slowly digested in reasonably-sized chunks:
Designated Survivor will return on the 1st, and Joel McHale's new news series will get underway. iZombie and Jane The Virgin will be back, and there'll also be more Black Lightning,...
- 8/26/2015
- Den of Geek
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