London Film Festival: The Idol, film review

This biopic of Gaza pop star Mohammed Assaf is manipulative and under-powered, says Charlotte O'Sullivan
Involving: the sequences in which Mohammed tries to escape bomb-addled Gaza to attend auditions are highlights
Charlotte O'Sullivan12 October 2015

Unknown Palestinian teen, Hiba Atallah, resembles a bonsai Kristin Scott Thomas. If and when you see her, you will want to worship her. Alas, she’s not the star of this show, which charts the rise to fame of Gaza pop star, Mohammed Assaf.

Slumdog Millionaire style, the biopic begins with scenes from Assaf’s childhood. Mohammed (Qais Atallah) adores his tomboyish, idealistic big sister, Nour (the aforementioned Hiba), and is horrified when her kidneys start to fail.

In 2013, our hero (now played by Tawfeek Barhom) remains determined to make Nour’s dreams come true and decides to enter TV contest, “Arab Idol”. His love interest, by the way, also has kidney troubles and urges him on, sweetly, from her hospital bed. (Hmm... in real life, Assaf’s childhood sweetheart was as fit as a fiddle and dumped him because he was broke).

Not surprisingly, the sequences in which Mohammed tries to escape bomb-addled Gaza, so he can attend auditions in Egypt, are involving. Hany Abu-Assad, who directed art-house thriller Omar, knows this ugly-beautiful terrain so well. But the pace flags whenever Barhom opens his mouth (because he is, of course, miming). Shows like “Arab Idol” may have their cheesy aspects, but at least they offer the thrill of a live performance. At once manipulative and under-powered, The Idol works best as a showcase for little Hiba. I can’t wait to see what she does next.

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