In Tel Aviv, Eurovision fans hope world shows Israel some love

In Tel Aviv, Eurovision fans hope world shows Israel some love
Israelis watch as Eden Golan from Israel performs "Hurricane" at a watch party for the live telecast of the Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in Tel Aviv, Israel, May 11, 2024. (Reuters)
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Updated 12 May 2024
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In Tel Aviv, Eurovision fans hope world shows Israel some love

In Tel Aviv, Eurovision fans hope world shows Israel some love
  • Israel ranks with Croatia and Switzerland as one of the bookmakers’ favorites to succeed Sweden and take home the colorful and kitschy competition watched by more than a hundred million people

TEL AVIV: Eurovision fans gathered in Tel Aviv Saturday to watch the show taking place in Sweden on big screens said they were hoping voters would finally show Israel some love.
The mood was electric at the packed Layla bar in Tel Aviv as the show got underway, with the crowd going wild when Israel’s contestant Eden Golan appeared on screen, jumping up and down and waving Israeli flags.
With her long lavender-streaked hair and matching nails, Golan performed her tune wearing a white chiffon gown billowing in the artificial wind and smoke filling the stage.
If Israel were to win, it would mean that “maybe we are not hated so much, and that the music really won,” said Tal Bendersky, draped in an Israeli flag.
The 23-year-old from southern Israel told AFP he had come to Layla, which prides itself as “the best gay bar in Tel Aviv,” “to celebrate with all the people that love the Israeli people.”
“Hopefully in the end, we will celebrate as much as we can, when she will hopefully win.”
A win for Israel would mean “we are loved in the world, and we have support of the world,” Yarden Arak, 33, told AFP.
Israel ranks with Croatia and Switzerland as one of the bookmakers’ favorites to succeed Sweden and take home the colorful and kitschy competition watched by more than a hundred million people.
But a win by Israel could be a stretch, given the fierce controversy that has surrounded its participation in this year’s edition of the competition as it continues to bombard and besiege Gaza.
The war started with Hamas’s unprecedented October 7 attack on Israel that resulted in the deaths of more than 1,170 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures.
Militants also seized hostages, of whom Israel estimates 128 remain in Gaza, including 36 who the military says are dead.
Israel’s retaliatory offensive has killed at least 34,971 people in Gaza, mostly women and children, according to the Hamas-run territory’s health ministry.
Before the competition began, police in the host city Malmo said at least 5,000 people were demonstrating in the streets outside the venue.
Golan’s song “Hurricane” is an adaptation of an earlier version named “October Rain,” which she modified after organizers deemed it too political because of its apparent allusions to the Hamas attack.
The EBU — which oversees the event — confirmed in March the participation of Golan, despite calls for her exclusion from thousands of musicians around the world.
More recently, nine of the acts, seven of whom are finalists, have called for a lasting ceasefire in Gaza.
Shortly before she took to the stage, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz hailed her in a post on X, formerly twitter.
“Eden proudly stands against immense hatred and anti-Semitism. Tonight, let’s show all the haters who’s leading the way!” he wrote.
And in Tel Aviv, hopes remained high, with many dismissing the protests, saying the demonstrators did not understand what Israel was going through since Hamas’s attack sparked the war.
“No one feels what we feel... They don’t know the facts, but it’s okay,” said Victoria Shishko, a 33-year-old Tel Aviv resident born in Ukraine.
“We know the truth and we will survive,” she told AFP, voicing confidence that Israel could win the contest.
That would show “that people really love us and they believe us and they stand with us,” she said.
“We deserve it. We are kind and good people and we hope to win.”
Others said they felt bad for Golan.
“I can’t imagine what Eden is going through,” said Alec Snyder, a 29-year-old Tel Aviv resident born in Los Angeles.
“Given the drama... I really hope Israel wins. I’m rooting for us tremendously,” he told AFP.
“It’s going to be tough, but we have a wonderful song, and I am sure we will do really well tonight.”


Saudi creators bring a modern twist to ‘Fawazeer Ramadan’ for TikTok

Saudi creators bring a modern twist to ‘Fawazeer Ramadan’ for TikTok
Updated 26 March 2025
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Saudi creators bring a modern twist to ‘Fawazeer Ramadan’ for TikTok

Saudi creators bring a modern twist to ‘Fawazeer Ramadan’ for TikTok

DUBAI: The “Fawazeer Ramadan” franchise, originally made famous in Egypt by iconic performers Nelly and Sherihan, has been reimagined for the TikTok generation.

The classic TV show, known for its musical riddles and whimsical performances, has been a staple of Ramadan entertainment for decades.

This year, Saudi creators Lama Najjar and Mohammed Subaie returned for their second year adapting the format, bringing a fresh and modern twist to the beloved show for a new audience.

“Honestly, it was such a fun and beautiful experience! When we first started, we never expected people to engage with it so much,” Najjar told Arab News.

“‘Fawazeer Ramadan’ is part of so many people’s memories, and it felt great to bring it back in a new way that fits today’s generation,” added Subaie. “TikTok gave us the space to connect directly with people and see their instant reactions to each episode.”

Lama Najjar, deeply involved in shaping the content, emphasized the importance of connecting with the audience. (Supplied)

As Ramadan comes to a close, the creators reflected on the evolution of the show, which featured challenges and riddles.

“This year, we wanted to bring new ideas and challenges that people might not expect,” said Subaie. “We’ve improved a lot in terms of filming and editing, and even the riddles themselves are a bit smarter and harder!”

Najjar, deeply involved in shaping the content, emphasized the importance of connecting with the audience. “Honestly, I like to be part of everything! From writing the riddles to choosing the ideas and how we present them. I love adding my personal touch and making sure the content feels close to the audience and reflects my style. And of course, interacting with the audience is a huge part of what I do — they’re the reason for our success, so I always want to make sure they feel connected,” she shared.

The show has resonated with younger audiences, many of whom are experiencing “Fawazeer Ramadan” for the first time, according to Subaie.

“Even those who never watched the original ‘Fawazeer’ are now loving the idea. People are waiting for each episode, and that’s the best proof that it connects with them,” said Subaie.


Ahmed Helmy to be honored at US, Swedish film festivals

Ahmed Helmy to be honored at US, Swedish film festivals
Updated 26 March 2025
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Ahmed Helmy to be honored at US, Swedish film festivals

Ahmed Helmy to be honored at US, Swedish film festivals

DUBAI: Egyptian actor Ahmed Helmy is set to be honored at the 4th edition of the Hollywood Arab Film Festival in California and the Malmo Arab Film Festival in Sweden in April.

The actor, who started his TV career in 1993 before he landed a role in 1998 film “Aboud Ala El Hedoud,” will make an appearance at both events.

 

 

The Hollywood Arab Film Festival will take place in Glendale, California, from April 9-13, while the 15th edition of the Malmo Arab Film Festival will run from April 29-May 5.

Helmy, 55, is a comedic actor known for his roles in “Excuse My French” (2014) and “Sorry To Disturb” (2008). He also made a guest appearance in 2024’s Egyptian-Saudi co-production “The Tale of Daye’s Family,” by filmmaker Karim El-Shenawy.

 


Lyna Khoudri spotted at TV series festival in Lille

Lyna Khoudri spotted at TV series festival in Lille
Updated 23 March 2025
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Lyna Khoudri spotted at TV series festival in Lille

Lyna Khoudri spotted at TV series festival in Lille

DUBAI: French Algerian actress Lyna Khoudri made an appearance at Series Mania 2025 this weekend in Lille, France.

Also known as the International TV Series Festival, Khoudri and her castmates were on hand to promote Apple TV+ show “Careme.”

“An ambitious, young chef uses his seductive charm to work as a spy so he can save his father — and make his name,” the official logline of the period drama reads. The series is set to land on Apple TV+ on April 30.

It is a biographical series about Antonin Careme, who rose from humble beginnings to become known as the world's first celebrity chef during the Napoleonic era. Careme is played by Cesar Award-winner Benjamin Voisin, who is joined by Cesar Award-winner Khoudri, César Award nominee Jérémie Renier (“My Way,” “Saint Laurent”),”) and Alice Da Luz (“Hanami,” “And the Party Goes On”).

The Cesar Awards are France’s reply to Hollywood’s Academy Awards.

“Careme” is directed by filmmaker Martin Bourboulon, who also directed Khoudri in Afghanistan evacuation drama “13 Days, 13 Nights,”

The drama, the full title of which is “In The Hell Of Kabul: 13 Days, 13 Nights,” stars Khoudri alongside Danish BAFTA-winning “Borgen” star Sidse Babett Knudsen, Roschdy Zem (“Chocolat,” “Oh Mercy!”), and theater actor Christophe Montenez.

Set against US troops’ withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021, as the Taliban marches on Kabul, the film recounts the true story of French Commander Mohamed Bida who oversaw security at the French embassy, which was the last Western mission to remain open.

The film marks a change for Bourboulon after period dramas “The Three Musketeers – Part II: Milady,” “The Three Musketeers – Part I: D’Artagnan” and “Eiffel.”

Khoudri, 32, first rose to prominence in her role as Nedjma in Mounia Meddour’s critically acclaimed drama “Papicha.” For her work in the film, she won the Orizzonti Award for best actress at the 74th Venice Film Festival, and she was nominated in the Cesar Awards’ most promising actress category.

Khoudri also starred in the 2019 mini-series “Les Sauvages” and in 2016’s “Blood on the Docks.”

Notably, she was cast in Wes Anderson’s 2021 comedy “The French Dispatch” alongside Timothee Chalamet, Bill Murray, Tilda Swinton, and Owen Wilson.

 


Actress Jameela Jamil joins Pixar’s ‘Elio’

Actress Jameela Jamil joins Pixar’s ‘Elio’
Updated 22 March 2025
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Actress Jameela Jamil joins Pixar’s ‘Elio’

Actress Jameela Jamil joins Pixar’s ‘Elio’

DUBAI: Actress and activist Jameela Jamil is set to lend her voice to the Pixar animated film, “Elio.”

Jamil will be voicing the character of Ambassador Questa.

The news broke when Jamil took to her Instagram story this week to share her enthusiasm about the project. Posting the official poster for the film, she captioned it: “It happening.” In a follow-up story, she pointed at the animated character and wrote: “It’s me.”

Instagram/ @JameelaJamil

Besides the poster, Pixar also released the trailer this week.

“Elio,” set to be released on June 20, follows an 11-year-old boy named Elio, who accidentally becomes the ambassador for Earth after being transported across the galaxy.

The movie also features the voices of Yonas Kibreab as Elio, Remy Edgerly as his alien best friend Glordon, Academy Award winner Zoe Saldana as Elio’s Aunt Olga, Brad Garrett as Lord Grigon, and Shirley Henderson as OOOOO.

Directed by Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi and Adrian Molina, the film is produced by Mary Alice Drumm.

Instagram/ @JameelaJamil

Jamil is known for her breakthrough role as Tahani Al-Jamil on NBC’s “The Good Place” and her advocacy work around body positivity and social justice.

Jamil is also starring in “Hysterical” — a new feminist dramedy from Olivia Lee semi-inspired by controversial figure Andrew Tate.

The show stars Naomie Harris and Romesh Ranganathan. Harris plays Leonora, a therapist who spirals into a world of toxic masculinity after her daughter is assaulted.

She learns the boy responsible is a fan of Tommy T, an influencer known for spreading harmful advice among young men. During a weekly “rage release” session with friends, Leonora, fueled by anger and alcohol, convinces the group to act and bring him down.

The plot is inspired by events surrounding Andrew Tate, a former kickboxer with more than 10 million followers who once stated that women should “bear responsibility” for sexual assault.

“UMMMM A comedy series about female rage? Sign me up!” Jamil, who is British Pakistani, wrote on Instagram in October when the show was announced.

“Hysterical” is being produced by Ranganathan’s company, Ranga Bee Productions. Ranganathan and Lee executive produce the show alongside Michelle Farr and Benjamin Green. It has not yet been announced when it will be televised.


REVIEW: ‘The Electric State’ — visually dazzling, disastrously dull

REVIEW: ‘The Electric State’ — visually dazzling, disastrously dull
Updated 21 March 2025
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REVIEW: ‘The Electric State’ — visually dazzling, disastrously dull

REVIEW: ‘The Electric State’ — visually dazzling, disastrously dull

DUBAI: There’s irony that “The Electric State” — a film that champions people making genuine connections and facing reality rather than getting lost in virtual worlds — was created for the world’s largest streaming platform.

There’s irony, too — though less deliberate — that this $320-million(!) content package is the perfect example of a movie made for our short-attention-span, two-screens-at-a-time world: It looks great. It’s got a star-studded cast. It’s helmed by the Russo Brothers. It’s got retro vibes. It’s got a ton of sci-fi tropes. And it’s instantly forgettable.

It's set in an alternative 1990s in which robots — having become self-aware enough to demand rights —have been defeated in a costly and bloody war and are now banished to the Exclusion Zone. Their defeat was down to Neurocaster Technology, developed by tech mogul Ethan Skate (Stanley Tucci), which allowed humans to upload their minds into drone robots and so go to war without the considerable drawback of being flesh and bone.

That same technology means many humans now spend most of their time hooked up to drone helmets living idyllic virtual lives; humans such as the abusive adoptive father of teen orphan Michelle Green (Millie Bobby Brown), whose parents and much-loved younger brother Chris were killed in a car crash a few years earlier. Except…

Turns out Chris (a bona fide genius, we’re told) wasn’t dead, but in a coma. And his exceptional mind was vital to the creation of Neurocaster. But 13 months later, Chris woke up. And that didn’t fit Skate’s plans, so he just kept him prisoner. But Chris was able to sneak his mind into a robot that finds Michelle and lets her know Chris is alive. She sets out to find him in the dangerous Exclusion Zone, reluctantly aided by a smuggler (Chris Pratt) and his robot friend Herman.

It's a decent set-up for a family-friendly sci-fi romp. But good grief “The Electric State” is —except visually (but, y’know, $320 million…) — dull. Brown does her best with the clunky dialogue, and comes through mostly unscathed. Pratt’s performance is like an AI-rendered Chris Pratt performance (“Do the wisecracking-tough-guy thing. Do the tough-guy-with-a-heart-thing. Do the wisecracking-tough-guy thing again…”). Tucci goes pantomime villain. The robots are kind of cute. But there’s no substance underneath this multi-million-dollar gloss. Then again, if your target audience is People Who Will Be Watching Something Else Too, who needs substance?