Front Row Filmed Entertainment, one of the leading film distributors in the region, is continuing with its slate of Arabic remakes of international hits by landing the writer/directing team of Amr El Daly and Jad Aouad for its reboot of the French hit, Intouchables.
The film, which is due to start shooting in Egypt in May 2022, will be the Dubai company's second attempt at remaking an existing international hit following its adaptation of the 2016 Italian success story, Perfetti Sconosciuti (Perfect Strangers).
Intouchables was a huge hit globally upon its release in 2011. It became the highest grossing foreign language film of the year, taking $426 million at the international box office, and also rose to third place in France’s all-time box office charts.
The film has inspired a number of international adaptations, including 2017’s US version, The Upside, starring Bryan Cranston, Kevin Hart and Nicole Kidman.
The Arabic version of Intouchables will be set in Egypt and, like the French original, focuses on a wealthy paraplegic and his relationship with a small-time crook who becomes his carer. The two form a strong bond despite the wide social and cultural divide between them.
Egyptian screenwriter El Daly’s career began with the highly regarded TV series Dawaran Shoubra, an ensemble drama set amid the 2011 Tahrir Square uprisings, which were unfolding as he wrote his script. El Daly followed up with TV projects including Ded El Kasr and Bi Meet Wesh, both massive successes across various Arabic TV and streaming platforms.
His focus on themes of class struggle and the individual versus the collective will be further explored in Intouchables.
“I am very excited about adapting Intouchables into an Arabic language, Egyptian film. The story touches on many relatable themes explored through the differences between the socioeconomic classes, which is something that cuts deep for me," El Daly said. "I am intrigued by the contrast in the nature, circumstances, morals and education of the two characters, and am truly excited to play around with these dynamics and how they form this bond.
"I am also really looking forward to working with Jad Aouad having met him in Cairo. I feel he is really sensitive to these complex issues within this story, and we really saw eye-to-eye in that sense."
Intouchables will mark Aouad's feature debut following a successful, award-winning career in advertising.
“I’ve been building to this moment my entire career. Intouchables is a touching, humanist film that fits perfectly with my personal sensibilities – what brings us together as people, what transcends status and capital," Aouad said.
Front Row chief executive officer Gianluca Chakra said the pair will make the story "unique for Arab viewers".
"We’ve made it our mission to find and nurture emerging talent that we feel will have a profound impact and drive change in the creative industry. We’re very excited to be working with both Jad and Amr on Intouchables," he said. "They have truly authentic voices and a natural instinct that will make this version unique for Arab viewers, while also translating well for international audiences."
Director: Paul Weitz
Stars: Kevin Hart
3/5 stars
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Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
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Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 201hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 320Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.7L/100km
Price: Dh133,900
On sale: now
How to vote
Canadians living in the UAE can register to vote online and be added to the International Register of Electors.
They'll then be sent a special ballot voting kit by mail either to their address, the Consulate General of Canada to the UAE in Dubai or The Embassy of Canada in Abu Dhabi
Registered voters mark the ballot with their choice and must send it back by 6pm Eastern time on October 21 (2am next Friday)
