Acclaimed Palestinian filmmaker Hany Abu-Assad won Academy Award nominations for his past two features, “Paradise Now” and “Omar,” riveting thrillers about the political plight facing many living in the eternally troubled Mideast.
Now he heads in a more optimistic direction with “The Idol,” a happy, uplifting biopic about Mohammad Assaf, an ambitious young Arab vocalist who became a worldwide sensation after winning the most popular televised talent show in the region.
The film turns the real-life story into a sunny Gaza City take on “Slumdog Millionaire.” The focus is “Arab Idol,” a tacky TV talent contest that is followed by millions of fans, a competition that our protagonist is pretty clearly going to win in the final act.
Still, there’s rare warmth in a film that presents lovable Palestinian characters clearing obstacles that are tough, but not matters of life and death.
