Palestinian pop star Mohammad Assaf attended the London Film Festival premiere of The Idol, the film inspired by his inspiring rise to fame, on Monday night.
Assaf walked the red carpet with his fiancee, TV presenter Lina Qishawi, the film’s director, Oscar-nominee Hany Abu Assad and Waleed Al Ebrahim, the chairman of MBC Group, co-producer of the film and also owner of the Arab Idol franchise.
Shot in the Gaza Strip, Jenin and other areas of the Palestinian territories in addition to the Dead Sea in Jordan, The Idol is inspired by Assaf’s life — from his humble beginnings in a refugee camp to his path towards stardom and win of the singing reality show in 2013.
“Entire generations grew up on the pulse of the Palestinian cause, with unfortunate setbacks and disappointments; however, today ‘Arab Idol Assaf’ — who came out from the heart of Palestinian suffering — carries with him headlines of hope filling the hearts of tens of thousands of young Palestinians” Al Ebrahim said. “I was keen on personally attending the premiere in London as I truly believe in the symbolic message it holds and magnitude of hope it sheds on Assaf’s struggle and suffering, embodying the Palestinian cause.”
Assaf recorded three songs for the movie’s soundtrack, with music for the film written by renowned Palestinian composer Habib Shehadeh Hanna. He earlier said he was touched when he watched the movie, which was inspired by — though it does not exactly mirror — his own story.
“The second part of it is very similar to my journey, which began with the audition at MBC’s Arab Idol and concluded with winning the title, after millions in the Mena region and across the world voted for me,” he said.
