Opening Night – National Premiere of ‘The Idol’ by Hany Abu-Assad

Come for an evening of food, festivities and Palestinian cinema!

We are excited to be screening Hany Abu-Assad’s ‘ The Idol’, a film that follows the life of Arab Idol winner/Palestinian singing sensation Mohammed Assaf, preceded by Basis Khalil’s Oscar nominated short film ‘Ave Marie,’ a comedy that focuses on humanity in a land of conflict.

Watch the trailers and read the synopses below:

THE IDOL
Four mischievous kids in a Gaza refugee camp master the ways of the streets to score musical instruments and start a ragtag wedding band. Surmounting poverty, family tragedy, and the occupation, the band’s precociously talented vocalist Mohammed Assaf (Barhom), grows up to wrangle a coveted spot on TV’s Arab Idol. If he wins, he will be the first Palestinian ever with the title of Arab Idol. The hopes of an entire people hang thrillingly on the outcome. Based on a true story and recreated by director Abu Assad (OMAR, PARADISE NOW) this rousing tension-filled cliffhanger satiates with an irresistibly jubilant finale. In Arabic with English subtitles.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6TSm2puy_4

AVE MARIE
A car accident results in a cultural collision between an argumentative Israeli family and a Palestinian convent under a vow of silence. In Arabic, English, and Hebrew with English subtitles.