Movie Review The Idol

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Spoiler Alerts A 2015 biopic from Palestine was the second movie screened in this year's Preston International Film Festival. It is a true rags to riches story comparable to Slumdog Millionaire. Mohammed Assaf, as a child dreamed of being a pop singer and even started a band with his sister and two friends. They played at weddings for money until Assaf's sister was struck down by kidney disease. Though Assaf tried singing contests to gain enough money to buy her a kidney she died. He vowed to go on singing in her memory and set his sights on Arab Idol, based itself on the success of American Idol. Unfortunately, the political conflict got in the way, with the border between the Gaza Strip, where Assaf lived, and Cairo, where the show was filmed live, was closed. In desperation, Assaf smuggled himself over the border and lacking a ticket to enter the show, he broke in to the studio. He would have been thrown out but another contestant gave him his pass as he felt Assaf had a far better shot at winning than he did. I thought this scene was stretching credibility but when I looked up Assaf's story online, I discovered that it really happened. Despite severe anxiety attacks on the brink of the final, Assaf went on to a clear victory, becoming an important singer and ambassador for Palestine in showing a side of the people of Gaza beyond the political. The final scenes of the show switch from the actor Tawleek Barhom to the real Mohammad Assaf footage as his victory was announced. Though predictable in its outcome, this is a very moving story with great songs and at times it is a tense emotional roller-coaster ride especially as the sister's illness overpowers her. A lovely movie. Youtube the movie trailer for The Idol