Prominent Egyptian actor Omar El Sherif has agreed to accept the leading role in a new film by a Palestinian writer that revolves around the sufferings experienced by Palestinians under the occupation of Israel. Omar is scheduled to travel to Palestine in mid-April 2005, where the scenes of the film are to be shot.
The script of the film is by Ala' Hulaihel and is taken from the novel entitled “Al-Aarab Al-Raksoon] by Palestinian author Sayed Qashou’ and is to be directed by Italian director Rogero Gabay and produced by Forma production company.
Sherif uttered that he was interested to participate in this movie to bring international attention to the daily sufferings that the Palestinian people go through. Sheriff will perform the role of vicar who had a special friendship with a movie star when he was still a child.
The whole project started after the Italian director read the novel and instantly started to think how he can turn it into a movie. The scenario is scheduled to be complete by the end of this year and filming will start next spring.
Hulaihel explained that the movie will be filmed in different Palestinian cities and will reveal the face democracy Israel is trying to convince the world with. He added that the movie is a cry to make the world pay attention to the daily suffering of the Palestinian people under the Israeli state.
The movie revolves around a Palestinian child who tries to think and look like a Jew and then he admits to failure after having many shocks throughout his life and interaction with Jews as employers and teachers.
Recently, El Sherif raised a wave of disapproval and rage amongst religious Muslims with his new movie “Hidalgo”, which is not screened yet in the Arab world. The Council of American Islamic Relations (CAIRE) condemned the movie by saying its depreciating Arabs and Muslims. American media also criticized the subject of the movie.
Producers of the film stressed that they consulted Muslim specialists before starting the movie. The story of the movie is based on the true story of the greatest long-distance horse race ever run, "Hidalgo", which is an epic action-adventure and one man's journey of personal redemption. –Albawab.com
© 2004 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
