Rap group IAM’s 20th anniversary concert, held at the Giza Pyramids’ Sound and Light Theater last Friday, along with their two-week Egypt tour has been filmed into a documentary. It is scheduled to be screened outside the competition at this year’s Cannes Film Festival.
Alexandre Florentino, the audiovisual attaché of the French Embassy in Egypt, told Daily News Egypt that it took nearly an entire year to organize the concert with the cooperation of the French Cultural Center in Cairo.
The concert, as well as the documentary, was sponsored by SFR Mobile, a French telecommunication company, Canal + channel and Universal Pictures. The concert’s DVD will be available in the market next year.
In an interview with French television, band member Akhenaton (Philippe Fragione) said, “It’s an honor to be in Egypt, a dream come true.
IAM have always been infatuated with Egyptian culture; and have shown a great interest in ancient Egyptian history – four members of the group named themselves after Pharaohs.
“This was my first time in Egypt and I was especially touched by the hospitality of the Egyptian people, said Said, the newest member of the group.
Over 500 fans, mostly young French-speakers, greeted France’s most popular and successful rap group last Friday for the free two-hour concert.
In a festive and energetic mood, the audience loudly cheered as the band performed 15 of their most popular classics, such as “Petit Frère, “Je Danse le Mia and “Ne Sous la même Etoile.
The band also performed five cuts from their latest album that included “Rap de Droite and “Ca Vient de la Rue.
Popular Algerian Rai star Cheb Khaled and celebrated Tunisian singer Lotfi Bouchnak were the surprise special guests at the concert.
The Cairo Opera House Orchestra and the Folkloric Popular Ensemble accompanied the band. The concert was broadcast live via webcast.
IAM member Shurik’n (Geoffroy Mussard) didn’t expect the immensely warm and rapturous reaction the band received from their Egyptian fans. “We were really happy with the Egyptian crowd, he added.
IAM’s concert was one of the most awaited events for the French-speaking community in Egypt. “It was a childhood dream for me, said Sherif Akl, a French law student at Cairo University.
“I still can’t believe they actually came, said Karim Nofal, also a French law student at Cairo University.
“This whole event at the Pyramids was magic to me.
“I just loved every second of it, said Omnia El Helaly, a half-French engineer. “Both organization and performance were great. The performance was simple and charming and for me this is the true essence of IAM.
