Los Angeles-based Syrian director and producer Sam Kadi, who helmed the doc “Little Gandhi” about the life and death of young Syrian peace activist Ghiyath Matar and produced the Oscar-shortlisted animation film “Lamya’s Poem,” has signed for representation with management company Bohemia Group.
Kadi’s first feature was the 2012 indie immigrant drama “The Citizen,” starring Egyptian actor Khaled Nabawy as a Lebanese immigrant who wins a green card through the U.S. lottery system and arrives in New York to claim his documents on Sept. 10, 2001. The drama, also starring Cary Elwes, then follows the protagonist’s hellish 10-year path to citizenship in post-9/11 America, including his detainment by homeland security and his deportation trial.
To make “Little Ghandi,” which was released in 2016, Kadi recruited Syrian activists who risked their lives to help arrange the film’s interviews via Skype. Matar was an organizer of peaceful protests in his hometown of...
Kadi’s first feature was the 2012 indie immigrant drama “The Citizen,” starring Egyptian actor Khaled Nabawy as a Lebanese immigrant who wins a green card through the U.S. lottery system and arrives in New York to claim his documents on Sept. 10, 2001. The drama, also starring Cary Elwes, then follows the protagonist’s hellish 10-year path to citizenship in post-9/11 America, including his detainment by homeland security and his deportation trial.
To make “Little Ghandi,” which was released in 2016, Kadi recruited Syrian activists who risked their lives to help arrange the film’s interviews via Skype. Matar was an organizer of peaceful protests in his hometown of...
- 6/29/2023
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
“Lamya’s Poem” centers around a Syrian refugee girl named Lamya who draws strength from the verses of ancient poet Rumi after violence forces her to flee from her country. The animated film was recently released digitally in the U.S. roughly around the anniversary of Syria’s 12-year uprising and in the aftermath of massive back-to-back earthquakes that have hit Turkey and Syria.
The timely tale’s impressive voice talent includes Mena Massoud, the star of Disney’s most recent “Aladdin,” as Rumi when he was a young poet; Millie Davis as Lamya; and Faran Tahir as Baha Walad, Rumi’s father.
“Lamya’s Poem” is directed by Alex Kronemer and produced by Sam Kadi, Los Angeles-based Syrian director who helmed the doc “Little Gandhi,” which focuses on the life and death of young Syrian peace activist Ghiyath Matar.
Kadi spoke to Variety about how “Lamya’s Poem” ties in with latest...
The timely tale’s impressive voice talent includes Mena Massoud, the star of Disney’s most recent “Aladdin,” as Rumi when he was a young poet; Millie Davis as Lamya; and Faran Tahir as Baha Walad, Rumi’s father.
“Lamya’s Poem” is directed by Alex Kronemer and produced by Sam Kadi, Los Angeles-based Syrian director who helmed the doc “Little Gandhi,” which focuses on the life and death of young Syrian peace activist Ghiyath Matar.
Kadi spoke to Variety about how “Lamya’s Poem” ties in with latest...
- 3/24/2023
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Freestyle Digital Media has picked up worldwide rights to the music documentary The Mojo Manifesto: The Life and Times of Mojo Nixon, slating it for release March 17 across VOD platforms.
The film written and directed by Matt Eskey, in his feature debut, tells the true story of Neill Kirby McMillan, Jr., who comes of age in Danville, Va, listening to records from his father’s soul radio station and plotting his escape from the confines of conservative small-town life.
Related Story Emily Hampshire Rom-Com ‘The End Of Sex’ Acquired By Blue Fox Entertainment Related Story Animated Film 'Lamya's Poem' Gets Digital Release Date For North America Related Story Freestyle Digital Media Acquires Emmy-Winning Documentary 'When Claude Got Shot'; Snoop Dogg Executive Producer
During an early 1980s cross-country bicycle trip, Kirby experiences The Mojo Revelation and becomes “Mojo Nixon” — a primitive, blues-inspired musician. Mojo then teams up with...
The film written and directed by Matt Eskey, in his feature debut, tells the true story of Neill Kirby McMillan, Jr., who comes of age in Danville, Va, listening to records from his father’s soul radio station and plotting his escape from the confines of conservative small-town life.
Related Story Emily Hampshire Rom-Com ‘The End Of Sex’ Acquired By Blue Fox Entertainment Related Story Animated Film 'Lamya's Poem' Gets Digital Release Date For North America Related Story Freestyle Digital Media Acquires Emmy-Winning Documentary 'When Claude Got Shot'; Snoop Dogg Executive Producer
During an early 1980s cross-country bicycle trip, Kirby experiences The Mojo Revelation and becomes “Mojo Nixon” — a primitive, blues-inspired musician. Mojo then teams up with...
- 2/21/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
“Aladdin” star Mena Massoud has revealed the first slate of projects out of his company Press Play Productions, which aims to bridge the gap between Hollywood and the Middle East and North Africa.
With offices in Dubai and Los Angeles, Press Play was founded by Massoud and producing partner Ali Mashayekhi, who heads content development in North America. George Shehata oversees content development in the Mena region.
Massoud, who is of Egyptian heritage, broke out playing Aladdin in Guy Ritchie’s live-action adaptation of the Disney film. His other credits include Prime Video’s “Hotel for the Holidays,” the animated feature “Lamya’s Poem” and Hulu series “Reprisal.”
The company’s slate include Canadian TV series “Evolving Vegan,” as well as the films “In Broad Daylight,” the Stephen King adaptation “The Last King” and festival title “Spaceman.”
Bell Media original series “Evolving Vegan” is slated to debut this spring in Canada...
With offices in Dubai and Los Angeles, Press Play was founded by Massoud and producing partner Ali Mashayekhi, who heads content development in North America. George Shehata oversees content development in the Mena region.
Massoud, who is of Egyptian heritage, broke out playing Aladdin in Guy Ritchie’s live-action adaptation of the Disney film. His other credits include Prime Video’s “Hotel for the Holidays,” the animated feature “Lamya’s Poem” and Hulu series “Reprisal.”
The company’s slate include Canadian TV series “Evolving Vegan,” as well as the films “In Broad Daylight,” the Stephen King adaptation “The Last King” and festival title “Spaceman.”
Bell Media original series “Evolving Vegan” is slated to debut this spring in Canada...
- 2/7/2023
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
Allen Media Group’s Freestyle Digital Media has acquired the North American DVD and VOD rights to Lamya’s Poem, an animated film about Syrian refugees. The film will be available to rent/own on digital HD internet, cable, and satellite platforms starting February 21, 2023. Watch the trailer in the video posted above.
Lamya’s Poem tells the story of a 12-year-old Syrian refugee girl named Lamya who tumbles into a dream world where she meets a poet and must help him write the poem that will save her life. When Lamya flees the violence of her country, she is given a book of poetry by the famous 13th-century poet, Rumi.
As the perils of Lamya’s journey mount, the book becomes a magical gateway where she meets Rumi when he was a boy and also a refugee fleeing the violence of his time. In a shared dreamworld, they battle the...
Lamya’s Poem tells the story of a 12-year-old Syrian refugee girl named Lamya who tumbles into a dream world where she meets a poet and must help him write the poem that will save her life. When Lamya flees the violence of her country, she is given a book of poetry by the famous 13th-century poet, Rumi.
As the perils of Lamya’s journey mount, the book becomes a magical gateway where she meets Rumi when he was a boy and also a refugee fleeing the violence of his time. In a shared dreamworld, they battle the...
- 12/28/2022
- by Armando Tinoco
- Deadline Film + TV
In her sleep, Lamya dreams of fireflies: Their yellow glow guides her through the grassy green fields of her imagination. In these dreams, Lamya, dressed in a plain white dress, frolics and giggles. For this 12-year-old Syrian girl, these visions are a way to escape — if only briefly — her dangerous and restricting reality.
Lamya’s Poem is ostensibly about the titular character’s life in Aleppo in 2016 and how conflict upends it, forcing her and her mother to become refugees. This sensitive tale has the potential to be an affecting film about the detrimental impact of war and how what ...
Lamya’s Poem is ostensibly about the titular character’s life in Aleppo in 2016 and how conflict upends it, forcing her and her mother to become refugees. This sensitive tale has the potential to be an affecting film about the detrimental impact of war and how what ...
- 10/7/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Sadat was in conversation at the Zurich Film Summit.
Afghan filmmaker Shahrbanoo Sadat, well known internationally for her Cannes features Wolf & Sheep and The Orphanage, escaped Kabul one month ago with her family to come to Europe.
Speaking at the Zurich Film Festival’s Zurich Summit on Sept 25, she said she hopes to keep her passion for filmmaking going despite the turmoil in her homeland, wanting to show the many “colours” of Afghanistan.
With the help of many international friends including her Danish producer Katja Adomeit, Sadat was able to take a French flight out of Kabul.
In her final days living in Kabul,...
Afghan filmmaker Shahrbanoo Sadat, well known internationally for her Cannes features Wolf & Sheep and The Orphanage, escaped Kabul one month ago with her family to come to Europe.
Speaking at the Zurich Film Festival’s Zurich Summit on Sept 25, she said she hopes to keep her passion for filmmaking going despite the turmoil in her homeland, wanting to show the many “colours” of Afghanistan.
With the help of many international friends including her Danish producer Katja Adomeit, Sadat was able to take a French flight out of Kabul.
In her final days living in Kabul,...
- 9/27/2021
- by Wendy Mitchell
- ScreenDaily
‘Aladdin’ star Mena Massoud is among the voice cast.
UK-based sales company WestEnd Films has boarded international sales on Alexander Kronemer’s animated feature Lamya’s Poem, which is part of the Works in Progress platform at Annecy Film Festival’s digital event this week.
It will introduce the film to buyers both at Annecy and at next week’s Cannes virtual Marché, where it will show first visuals on the in-production project.
Lamya’s Poem tells the story of a 12-year-old Syrian refugee who, while fleeing the violence of her country, is given a book of 13th-century Persian poet Rumi’s work.
UK-based sales company WestEnd Films has boarded international sales on Alexander Kronemer’s animated feature Lamya’s Poem, which is part of the Works in Progress platform at Annecy Film Festival’s digital event this week.
It will introduce the film to buyers both at Annecy and at next week’s Cannes virtual Marché, where it will show first visuals on the in-production project.
Lamya’s Poem tells the story of a 12-year-old Syrian refugee who, while fleeing the violence of her country, is given a book of 13th-century Persian poet Rumi’s work.
- 6/15/2020
- by 1101321¦Ben Dalton¦26¦
- ScreenDaily
WestEnd Films has launched international sales on “Lamya’s Poem,” an animated feature by Alexander Kronemer, which will be part of Annecy’s Works in Progress panel at the digital version of the world’s largest animation festival and market that begins Monday.
WestEnd builds on an established reputation representing prestigious independent arthouse animated features, such as Oscar-nominated films “The Breadwinner,” executive produced by Angelina Jolie, and “Song of the Sea.”
“Lamya’s Poem” is an inspiring and timely tale about a 12-year-old Syrian refugee girl named Lamya. When she flees the violence of her country, she is given a book of poetry of the famous 13th-century poet Rumi. As the perils of her journey mount, the book becomes a magical gateway where she meets Rumi when he was a boy and also a refugee fleeing the violence of his time. In a shared dreamworld, they battle the monsters that follow them from their real world situations,...
WestEnd builds on an established reputation representing prestigious independent arthouse animated features, such as Oscar-nominated films “The Breadwinner,” executive produced by Angelina Jolie, and “Song of the Sea.”
“Lamya’s Poem” is an inspiring and timely tale about a 12-year-old Syrian refugee girl named Lamya. When she flees the violence of her country, she is given a book of poetry of the famous 13th-century poet Rumi. As the perils of her journey mount, the book becomes a magical gateway where she meets Rumi when he was a boy and also a refugee fleeing the violence of his time. In a shared dreamworld, they battle the monsters that follow them from their real world situations,...
- 6/15/2020
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
WestEnd Films has boarded international sales on Lamya’s Poem, the animated feature whose voice cast includes Mena Massoud (Aladdin), Millie Davis (Wonder) and Faran Tahir (Iron Man).
The film charts the story of a 12-year-old Syrian refugee who is given a book of poetry of classic 13th-century Persian poet, Rumi. As the perils of her journey mount, the book becomes a magical gateway.
“The wound is the place where the light enters you,” is one of Rumi’s famous quotes, which inspired the film’s writer-director Alexander Kronemer.
WestEnd will be introducing the feature to buyers this week during Annecy, where it is part of the digital event’s works in progress panels, and next week during the Cannes virtual market where they will show first visuals. ICM is repping North American rights.
Massoud will voice the young poet Rumi, Davis will voice Lamya and Tahir will be Rumi’s father.
The film charts the story of a 12-year-old Syrian refugee who is given a book of poetry of classic 13th-century Persian poet, Rumi. As the perils of her journey mount, the book becomes a magical gateway.
“The wound is the place where the light enters you,” is one of Rumi’s famous quotes, which inspired the film’s writer-director Alexander Kronemer.
WestEnd will be introducing the feature to buyers this week during Annecy, where it is part of the digital event’s works in progress panels, and next week during the Cannes virtual market where they will show first visuals. ICM is repping North American rights.
Massoud will voice the young poet Rumi, Davis will voice Lamya and Tahir will be Rumi’s father.
- 6/15/2020
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Annecy 2020 Online’s first wave of special programming for its world-class French animation festival (June 15-30) will include making of sessions, previews, and works-in-progress. The biggest news is that indie feature “Animal Crackers,” which premiered at Annecy in 2017, returns as a making of program, having been acquired by streamer Netflix.
The CG children’s fantasy, directed by Tony Bancroft (“Mulan”) and Scott Christan Sava, concerns a magical box of cookies coming to the rescue of a rundown circus. It contains voice work by John Krasinski and Emily Blunt, and boasts the work of character designer Carter Goodrich (“Ice Age”).
Netflix is also bringing a work-in-progress presentation of “The Cuphead Show!” series for 2021, adapted from retro-style video game by showrunners Dave Wasson (“Mickey Mouse”) and Cosmo Segurson (“SpongeBob Squarepants”). Drawing on the classic ’30s rubber hose animation style of Disney and Fleischer, the comedy follows the misadventures of the impulsive Cuphead and his naive brother,...
The CG children’s fantasy, directed by Tony Bancroft (“Mulan”) and Scott Christan Sava, concerns a magical box of cookies coming to the rescue of a rundown circus. It contains voice work by John Krasinski and Emily Blunt, and boasts the work of character designer Carter Goodrich (“Ice Age”).
Netflix is also bringing a work-in-progress presentation of “The Cuphead Show!” series for 2021, adapted from retro-style video game by showrunners Dave Wasson (“Mickey Mouse”) and Cosmo Segurson (“SpongeBob Squarepants”). Drawing on the classic ’30s rubber hose animation style of Disney and Fleischer, the comedy follows the misadventures of the impulsive Cuphead and his naive brother,...
- 5/20/2020
- by Bill Desowitz
- Indiewire
Netflix, China’s Alibaba and France have thrown their weight behind the Annecy Animation Festival, with the festival set to showcase an in progress reveal of the U.S. streaming giant’s “The Cupcake Show!” plus a look back at cult movie “Animal Crackers,” as well as six French productions in its Work in Progress section, Annecy’s single most important program strand.
Distributed by Alibaba Pictures Group, “New Gods: Nezha Reborn,” from Ji Zhao, follows on the highest grossing animated movie ever in a single territory, earning over $700 million in China.
French productions are led by the hugely awaited “The Summit of the Gods,” produced by Jean-Charles Ostorero and the most ambitious movie to date from Didier and Damien Brunner.
Also in the French Wip mix is “The Island,” the latest from Romania’s Anca Damian, who won Annecy’s top pirize with “Crilic: The Path to Beyond,” as...
Distributed by Alibaba Pictures Group, “New Gods: Nezha Reborn,” from Ji Zhao, follows on the highest grossing animated movie ever in a single territory, earning over $700 million in China.
French productions are led by the hugely awaited “The Summit of the Gods,” produced by Jean-Charles Ostorero and the most ambitious movie to date from Didier and Damien Brunner.
Also in the French Wip mix is “The Island,” the latest from Romania’s Anca Damian, who won Annecy’s top pirize with “Crilic: The Path to Beyond,” as...
- 5/20/2020
- by John Hopewell and Jamie Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Mena Massoud, the star of Disney’s live-action remake of “Aladdin,” says he hasn’t seen any new career opportunities since starring in the film that has now grossed over $1 billion at the worldwide box office.
Massoud, who plays the title street rat in “Aladdin,” said in an interview Tuesday he hasn’t gotten a single audition in the wake of the film’s release.
“I’m kind of tired of staying quiet about it,” Massoud told The Daily Beast. “I want people to know that it’s not always dandelions and roses when you’re doing something like ‘Aladdin.’ ‘He must have made millions. He must be getting all these offers.’ It’s none of those things. I haven’t had a single audition since ‘Aladdin’ came out.”
Also Read: 'Aladdin' to Hit $1 Billion Friday as Disney Remakes Keep Ruling Box Office
Massoud is a 28-year-old Egyptian...
Massoud, who plays the title street rat in “Aladdin,” said in an interview Tuesday he hasn’t gotten a single audition in the wake of the film’s release.
“I’m kind of tired of staying quiet about it,” Massoud told The Daily Beast. “I want people to know that it’s not always dandelions and roses when you’re doing something like ‘Aladdin.’ ‘He must have made millions. He must be getting all these offers.’ It’s none of those things. I haven’t had a single audition since ‘Aladdin’ came out.”
Also Read: 'Aladdin' to Hit $1 Billion Friday as Disney Remakes Keep Ruling Box Office
Massoud is a 28-year-old Egyptian...
- 12/3/2019
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
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