‘The Idol’ Tells Singer’s Story From Gaza To Winning ‘Arab Idol’

By Worldview
Mohammed Assaf, the 23-year-old from the Gaza Strip who won the popular pan-Arab song contest “Arab Idol” last month performs in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Monday, July 1, 2013.
Mohammed Assaf, the 23-year-old from the Gaza Strip who won the popular pan-Arab song contest "Arab Idol" in 2013 performs in the West Bank city of Ramallah. Majdi Mohammed / AP Photo
Mohammed Assaf, the 23-year-old from the Gaza Strip who won the popular pan-Arab song contest “Arab Idol” last month performs in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Monday, July 1, 2013.
Mohammed Assaf, the 23-year-old from the Gaza Strip who won the popular pan-Arab song contest "Arab Idol" in 2013 performs in the West Bank city of Ramallah. Majdi Mohammed / AP Photo

‘The Idol’ Tells Singer’s Story From Gaza To Winning ‘Arab Idol’

By Worldview
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The Idol, by director Hany Abu-Assad, is based on the real life story of Mohammed Assaf, a Palestinian pop singer who won the second season of Arab Idol, the Middle Eastern version of American Idol. The film follows Assaf as he pursues his singing dream from Gaza. 

Film contributor Milos Stehlik and Hany Abu-Assad join us to talk about the film and the Palestinian film scene.