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The Idol

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2:04

The Idol

Released May 27, 2016

1h 37m

Biography

Drama

Music

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Popcornmeter

84%

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49 Reviews

65%

Popcornmeter

100+ Ratings

Talented teenage singer Mohammed Assaf (Tawfeek Barhom) travels from the Gaza Strip to Egypt to audition for the television show Arab Idol.

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Critics Consensus

The Idol wrings fresh enjoyment from its well-worn formula, delivering a crowd-pleasing rags-to-riches biopic fueled by gripping performances and a solidly written script.

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Tara Brady

Irish Times

Ehab Assal's mesmerisingly restless camera and a gaggle of spirited performances ensure there's never dull moment before the final bow.

Rated: 4/5

Jan 1, 2017

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Kevin Maher

Times (UK)

Directed by the twice Oscar-nominated Hany Abu-Assad, it is remarkable for dancing deftly between politics and melodrama without coming down heavily on either side.

Rated: 3/5

Oct 10, 2016

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Wendy Ide

Observer (UK)

Tawfeek Barhom, in the central role, is an intense and magnetic presence.

Rated: 3/5

Aug 14, 2016

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Joanne Laurier

World Socialist Web Site

Its best moments portray the monumental difficulties faced by the Palestinian population in Gaza.

Feb 26, 2021

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Daniel Barnes

Dare Daniel

"Perfunctory visuals and sludgy storytelling."

Rated: 2/5

Jun 6, 2019

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Mae Abdulbaki

Movies with Mae

"The Idol" leaves a lot to be desired and a documentary-style format may have served Assaf's journey better. This isn't to say that it's a bad film, but it is ultimately underwhelming.

Rated: 2.5/5

Aug 22, 2018

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isla s

I thought this was an interesting story, although it can be said that some elements weren't entirely original, as far as there being other films about similar stories, although I believe its based on a true story, so you can't really say its not at all realistic from that point of view!. The children were nice characters, I found myself hoping for the best for them and there are some tense and emotional moments - I thought Mohammed had a great voice and I very much enjoyed listening to the (Arabic style) songs. Perhaps it is a bit unoriginal but it has elements/themes of hope and perserverance which are admirable and overall I enjoyed watching the film, so I'd recommend it on that basis.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Audience Member

Inspiring story!! 3-4 moments of the film where the script appeared weak forcing point of conflict and resolution to keep the film moving, and that where I think the film lost the tone of reality.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/20/23

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Audience Member

This is a wonderfully uplifting film though it is deeply moving at times. I got to watch it on an Emirates flight and I don't know if it was the wine but those tears flowed at different times.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/23/23

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Audience Member

Acclaimed Palestinian filmmaker Hany Abu-Assad (Paradise Now, Omar) directs this biopic about Mohammad Assaf, the Gazan wedding singer who became a worldwide sensation after winning the Arab Idol competition in 2013. "A coming-of-age story that takes place in the wake of tragic events in Palestine, this biopic will bring audiences laughter, tears, and a special sense of hope in the world." - MARYAN SHEIK ALI, TIFF Next Wave Committee

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/12/23

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Audience Member

Mohammed Assaf, the son of Gaza that sparked life into his people and put the Palestinians in people's faces to make sure we don't forget their struggle while living under siege and disparity. character that plays Nour is truly a force to be reckoned with.This is not the last we have seen of this raw and talented young lady.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/03/23

Full Review

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Hany Abu-Assad

Director

Qais Atallah

Young Mohammed Assaf

Hiba Attalah

Nour

Ahmad Qassim

Young Ahmad

Abd-Elkarim Abu-Barakeh

Young Omar

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Young Amal

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The Idol: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Talented teenage singer Mohammed Assaf (Tawfeek Barhom) travels from the Gaza Strip to Egypt to audition for the television show Arab Idol.

Director: Hany Abu-Assad
Producer: Ali Jaafar, Amira Diab
Screenwriter: Hany Abu-Assad, Sameh Zoabi
Distributor: Adopt Films
Genre: Biography, Drama, Music
Original Language: Arabic
Release Date (Theaters): May 27, 2016, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 10, 2016
Runtime: 1h 37m

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