Biography
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Mohamed Diab is an award-winning writer and director, who's work is often centered on pressing issues concerning Egyptian society.
He's known for his directorial debut film CAIRO 678 (Les Femmes du bus 678[1]), which was released a month before the Egyptian revolution and was deemed by the New York Times "unmistakably a harbinger of that revolution." [2] Paulo Coehlo tweeted about the film calling it "brilliant" and saying "it should be mandatory for men, regardless of their religion/culture, to watch it".[3]
Diab wrote the blockbuster Egyptian franchise EL GEZIRA (THE ISLAND) films which are considered the highest grossing Egyptian and arabic films of all times. The films revolve around a tyrannical druglord on an island in Upper Egypt. EL GEZIRA is often quoted and referenced in Egyptian pop culture and was also the 2007 Egyptian nomination for the Academy Awards.
Asides filmmaking, Diab is known for his vocal participation in the 2011 Egyptian revolution, which earned him a Webby Award.[4]
Filmography
editEL GEZIRA FILMS (THE ISLAND)
editEL GEZIRA, released in 2007, is inspired by the true story of the rise of a ruthless druglord who lived on an island in Upper Egypt. The film set box office records and is often referenced in Egyptian pop culture. EL GEZIRA 2 was released in 2014. The sequel begins with the escape of the druglord from prison during the Egyptian revolution and his rebound to power back home on the island. The film set new Egyptian box office records becoming the highest grossing Egyptian and arabic film of all times. Diab co-wrote the sequel with Khalid Diab and Sherine Diab.
CAIRO 678
editCAIRO 678 marks Diab's directorial debut. The film follows the intertwining stories of a vigiliante trio of women who take on the sexual harassment epidemic in Cairo. The film was released in December 2010 and is considered the most award-winning contemporary Egyptian film. The film was distributed internationally and fared well notably in France, where it sold 265,000 tickets and received ÉcranTotal's "coup de foudre du public" audience recognition. [5]
ESHTEBAK (CLASH)
editAfter being heavily involved in the 2011 Egyptian revolution, Diab wanted to make a film about the revolution. It took 4 years to develop ESHTEBAK (CLASH), which initially was a film about the rise of the revolution, but ended up being a film that captures the fall of the revolution. The film is set in the violent aftermath of the ouster of president Morsi of the Muslim Brotherhood party. Violent clashes had erupted all over Egypt between Muslim Brotherhood supporters and military supporters.
The entire film is shot from within the confines of a police riot truck. Thematically, the film explores the human condition and the roots of terrorism.
The film is a recipient of grants and funding from the San Francisco Film Society, CNC l'aide au Cinémas du Monde and ARTE France.
| Year | Title | Director | Writer | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Eshtebak (Clash) | Yes | Yes | co-written with Khalid Diab |
| 2014 | El Gezira 2 (The Island 2)[6] | Yes | co-written with Khalid Diab and Sherine Diab | |
| 2014 | Décor[7] | Yes | co-written with Sherine Diab | |
| 2010 | Cairo 678[8] | Yes | Yes | |
| 2009 | Alf Mabrouk (Congratulations) | Yes | co-written with Khalid Diab | |
| 2009 | Badal Fa’ed (The Replacement)[9] | Yes | ||
| 2007 | El Gezira (The Island)[10] | Yes | ||
| 2007 | Ahlam Hakekeya (Real Dreams)[11] | Yes |
Awards
editCairo 678 (Les Femmes du Bus 678)
edit| Festival | Awards |
|---|---|
| CHICAGO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL | SILVER HUGO BEST FILM
SILVER HUGO BEST ACTOR |
| DUBAI INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL | BEST ACTOR
BEST ACTRESS |
| ASIA PACIFIC AWARDS | JURY GRAND PRIZE
HIGH COMMENDATION |
| SYDNEY INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL | SPECIAL MENTION |
| MONTPELLIER MEDITERRANEAN FILM FESTIVAL | PRIX DU PUBLIC
PRIX JEUNE PUBLIC |
| TAORMINA FILM FESTIVAL | YOUTH CHOICE AWARD |
| HEARTLAND FILM FESTIVAL | GRAND PRIZE |
| KHOURIBGA FILM FESTIVAL | BEST FILM
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS |
| THIRD EYE ASIAN FILM FESTIVAL | BEST FILM |
| MEDITERRANEAN FILM FESTIVAL | BEST FILM |
| SALÉ WOMENS FILM FESTIVAL | SPECIAL MENTION |
| FCAT CORDOBA FILM FESTIVAL | AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARD |
| COLOGNE AFRICAN FILM FESTIVAL | AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARD |
| EGYPTIAN OSCARS | BEST NEW DIRECTOR |
| CATHOLIC EGYPTIAN FILM FESTIVAL | JURY PRIZE |
| ARABIAN SIGHTS FILM FESTIVAL | AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARD |
In 2011, Christiane Amanpour presented Mohamed Diab with a Webby Award[12].
- ^ AlloCine. "Les Femmes du Bus 678". AlloCiné. Retrieved 2016-04-01.
- ^ Scott, A. O. (2011-03-22). "New Directors/New Films at Lincoln Center and Museum of Modern Art". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2016-04-01.
- ^ "Paulo Coelho on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 2016-04-01.
- ^ "Mohamed Diab | The Webby Awards". webbyawards.com. Retrieved 2016-04-01.
- ^ "Bon début pour les femmes du bus 678". Evene.fr. Retrieved 2016-04-01.
- ^ Arafa, Sherif (2014-10-01), El Gezira 2, retrieved 2016-04-01
- ^ Abdalla, Ahmad (2014-09-18), Decor, retrieved 2016-04-01
- ^ Diab, Mohamed (2010-12-22), 678, retrieved 2016-04-01
- ^ Alaa, Ahmed (2009-07-05), The Replacement, retrieved 2016-04-01
- ^ Arafa, Sherif (2007-12-18), The Island, retrieved 2016-04-01
- ^ Gomaa, Mohamed (2007-10-11), Real Dreams, retrieved 2016-04-01
- ^ "Mohamed Diab | The Webby Awards". webbyawards.com. Retrieved 2016-04-01.