Latest from Egypt Today
Egypt Today
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Egypt Today
Cannes winner ONCE UPON A TIME IN GAZA set for release across France
Fresh off winning the Best Director Award at Cannes, Tarzan and Arab Nasser's comedy-drama ONCE UPON A TIME IN GAZA is set to release in theaters across France this month, offering audiences a unique gripping narrative from the heart of Gaza. The screenings, which will be held in the presence of one-half of the director duo Arab Nasser, will be held on the following dates: Thursday, June 19th – Premiere in Marseille at Les Variétés Friday, June 20th – Premiere in Toulouse at American Cosmo Sunday, June 22nd– Premiere in Saint-Ouen-l'Aumône at Utopia Stella Monday, June 23rd – Premiere in Paris at mk2 Gambetta Tuesday, June 24th – Premiere in Orléans Wednesday, June 25th – Premiere in Paris at Majestic Bastille Thursday, June 26th – Premiere in Saint-Denis at L'Ecra ONCE UPON A TIME IN GAZA explores the gripping story of Yahya, a young student who forges a friendship with Osama, a charismatic restaurant owner with a big heart. Together, they begin peddling drugs while delivering falafel sandwiches, but they are soon forced to grapple with a corrupt cop and his oversized ego. An international co-production between France, Palestine, Germany, and Portugal with Qatar and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the film boasts a stellar cast that includes Nader Abd Alhay, who is known for his role as Sami in FARAH, which is streaming now on Netflix; Ramzi Maqdisi (GHOST HUNTING, awarded Best Documentary at the Berlinale), Majd Eid (Cannes Winning title HOLY SPIDER); DOP Christophe Graillot (RIDE ABOVE) and editor Sophie Reine, who won the Best Editing Award at the César Awards for her work in THE FIRST DAY OF THE REST OF YOUR LIFE. Directed by the Nasser Brothers from a screenplay co-written with Amer Nasser and Marie Legrand, ONCE UPON A TIME IN GAZA is produced by Rani Massalha and Marie Legrand from Les Films du Tambour and Muriel Merlin of Lyly Productions. Additionally, the film was co-produced with Rise Studios (Amanda Turnbull and Ziad Srouji), Made in Palestine Project (Rashid Abdelhamid), Red Balloon Film (Dorothe Benemeier), Riva Filmproduktion (Mickael Eckelt and Lena Zimmerhackel), Ukbar Filmes (Pandora Da Cunha Telles and Pablo Iraola), and executive produced by Jordan Pioneers Multi Media & Slate Films Services (Khaled Haddad) in association with A. A. Films (Ahmed Amer), Cocoon Films (Sawsan Asfari), Radio e Televisao De Portugal, and Kometa (Edyta Janczak-Hiriart). Twin brothers Tarzan and Arab Nasser were born in Gaza in 1988. In 2013, their short film CONDOM LEAD was selected for the Main Competition at Cannes. Their first feature film, DÉGRADÉ, also premiered as part of Cannes' Critics' Week. Their second feature, GAZA MON AMOUR, premiered in the Horizons Program of the Venice International Film Festival and was Palestine's submission to the 2021 Academy Awards.
Egypt Today
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Egypt Today
Wegz & Ali El Arabi: From Ez El Arab to the Big Screen with Wattar Wahed
For the third time, Wegz and acclaimed director Ali El Arabi are teaming up—but this time, they're taking their creative synergy to a whole new level with their first feature film Wattar Wahed. After making waves with powerful music videos like Ez El Arab during the World Cup and the emotional hit Ba'wda Ya Belady, the duo is shifting from music videos to cinema. Wattar Wahed continues the humanistic and artistic thread that has defined El Arabi's collaborations with Wegz, offering a fresh cinematic experience that blends music and storytelling with a raw, contemporary lens. Known for his socially driven and emotionally charged films, Ali El Arabi has built an impressive reputation on the international stage. His documentary Captains of Zaatari earned widespread acclaim and was screened at prestigious festivals like Cannes and Sundance. He's also co-produced award-winning titles such as 52 Blue, Arze, and Goodbye Julia—films that have been contenders for the Oscars. While full details about Wattar Wahed remain under wraps, casting, shooting dates, and release plans are set to be announced soon. But what's clear is that One String promises a fresh cinematic voice, one that speaks to an entire generation through powerful sound and compelling visuals. This collaboration isn't just a bold new chapter for both Wegz and El Arabi—it might just spark a new wave of Egyptian cinema: youthful, grounded, and deeply resonant.
Egypt Today
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Egypt Today
FM meets with members of Cairo International Center for Conflict Resolution and Peacekeeping
CAIRO -19 June 2025: Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates Badr Abdelatty held a meeting on Thursday with members of the Cairo International Center for Conflict Resolution, Peacekeeping, and Peacebuilding (CCCPA) as part of efforts to follow up on the center's activities, particularly regarding peace and security on the African continent. The move comes in preparation for the fifth edition of the Aswan Forum for Sustainable Peace and Development. The meeting reviewed the center's recent activities and training programs aimed at enhancing capacity building in areas of conflict resolution, peacekeeping, and peacebuilding, especially in sisterly African countries; within the framework of Egypt's support for the continent's peace and development agenda, the foreign ministry said in a statement. The meeting also touched on ongoing preparations for the fifth edition of the Aswan Forum for Sustainable Peace and Development, scheduled for October 19-20, with high-level African and international participation along with thought leaders, entrepreneurs, and civil society organizations. Abdelatty emphasized the pivotal role played by CCCPA as a tool of preventive diplomacy and praised the tangible achievements it has made in recent years as regards training both civilian and military cadres from various countries, thereby enhancing Egypt's status as a regional and international hub of expertise in areas of peace and security. He also affirmed the need to continue developing the center's programs in line with the growing challenges facing peacekeeping and peacebuilding efforts while paying special attention to empowering women and youth in these areas, in accordance with the African Union's Agenda 2063. The foreign minister pointed out the importance of ensuring that the upcoming edition of the Aswan Forum reflects the priorities of the African continent, particularly in light of escalating challenges linked with armed conflicts, climate change, food security, and development crises.
Egypt Today
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Egypt Today
Haifa Wehbe, Bosy Team Up for the First Time in Surprise Duet 'Ya Ahmed'
Haifa Wehbe and Bosy Team Up for the First Time in Surprise Duet 'Ya Ahmed'. In a surprising twist for the fans of both stars, Haifa Wehbe and Bosy are joining forces for an exciting new duet titled 'Ya Ahmed marking the first all-female collaboration in Wehbe's career, The track will serve as the promo song for the upcoming action-comedy film Ahmed w Ahmed, starring Egyptian superstars Ahmed El Sakka and Ahmed Fahmy. It is set to hit cinemas on July 2. Written by Menna Adly El Kiey and composed by Ahmed Tarek Yehia, 'Ya Ahmed' is expected to drop alongside the film's promotional campaign — and it's already generating serious buzz.
Egypt Today
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Egypt Today
Javier Bardem Slams Global Inaction: 'This Is a 21st-Century Genocide in Gaza'
Oscar-winning actor Javier Bardem delivers a powerful message, calling out Israel's blockade and the silence of world leaders, urging the world not to look away from Gaza. Bardem turned the spotlight on Gaza, delivering a searing statement: 'While we celebrate our creative passion for fiction with a generous and loving audience, we cannot forget the reality of tens and tens of thousands of children, women, and men killed by Israel's blockade of food, its bombs, and its bullets. And above all, by the political inaction and the impunity rooted in the cowardice of our leaders. They will be remembered as accomplices in this 21st-century genocide — the genocide of the people of Gaza.' A bold and urgent message that resonated far beyond the screen.
