This film is part of the Arab World Institute of Paris ’s Carte Blanche
At a concert in Cairo, the biggest band in the Middle East, Mashrou’ Leila energizes a crowd of 35,000 people. On stage, the charismatic lead singer, Hamed, the first openly gay rock star in the Arab world, faces a sea of swaying flickering lights. Among the incandescence, a fan raises a giant rainbow flag, capping off a magical night. Yet, that one simple act of pride and joy would ultimately catapult the band, the fan and others headlong into a tragic series of events.
At a concert in Cairo, the biggest band in the Middle East, Mashrou’ Leila energizes a crowd of 35,000 people. On stage, the charismatic lead singer, Hamed, the first openly gay rock star in the Arab world, faces a sea of swaying flickering lights. Among the incandescence, a fan raises a giant rainbow flag, capping off a magical night. Yet, that one simple act of pride and joy would ultimately catapult the band, the fan and others headlong into a tragic series of events.
Overview of some festivals:
Queer Screen, Australia (2023)
Womex, Official Selection, Portugal (2022)
QDoc Film Festival, Official Selection, United States (2022)
Short Cuts Film Fest, Official Selection, United States (2022)
WatchDocs, Official Selection, United Kingdom, USA (2022)
Queer Screen, Australia (2023)
Womex, Official Selection, Portugal (2022)
QDoc Film Festival, Official Selection, United States (2022)
Short Cuts Film Fest, Official Selection, United States (2022)
WatchDocs, Official Selection, United Kingdom, USA (2022)
| Production | Michael Collins, James Costa, Sarah Kasakas, Patty Kim, Marty Syjuco |
| Editing | Michael Collins |
| Director | Michael Collins |
In Partnership with
Session
• Cinéma du Musée - Auditorium Maxwell-Cummings
Saturday, march 18, 2023, 08:00 p.m. — 10:00 p.m.
Image tirée du film Beirut Dreams in Color // Image from the film Beirut Dreams in Color
Image tirée du film Beirut Dreams in Color // Image from the film Beirut Dreams in Color
Image tirée du film Beirut Dreams in Color // Image from the film Beirut Dreams in Color
Jamal Saidi
Production
Michael Collins
Michael Collins is a two-time Emmy and Grierson nominated filmmaker and the founder of Thoughtful Robot, a film production company committed to telling stories that inspire, connect and galvanize change. Michael is currently producing DELIKADO with ITVS, Vulcan Production and TIME Studios for POV. His previous film Almost Sunrise premiered at Telluride Mountainfilm, won a CINE Golden Eagle Award, and was Emmy-nominated for Outstanding Current Affairs Documentary. Michael’s first film Give Up Tomorrow premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival where it won the Audience Award and a Special Jury Prize for Best New Director, was selected for the Puma Impact Award and was nominated for an Emmy Award for Outstanding Investigative Journalism. In addition to filmmaking, Michael volunteers as a meditation instructor working with a wide range of populations including veterans, military families and the queer community.
Biographical notes provided by the film production team
Biographical notes provided by the film production team
