Amr Salama’a latest hit film in the cinema industry, Sheikh Jackson, has been selected to participate in best foreign-language film competition at the upcoming Oscars in 2018.
The film is still waiting to be accepted at the final shortlist decided by the US Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. If it’s selected, “Sheikh Jackson” shall be the very first Egyptian film to make it to the final selection of the category.
Starring Ahmeh El-Fishawy, Ahmed Malek, and Maged El-Kidwany, the film tells the story of a strict Islamic cleric who has a hidden passion of Michael Jackson, which takes over him after he hears of Jackson’s death. While he used to be dubbed with Jackson back at high school, Michael Jackson’s death sparks a series of questions inside the young Sheikh, forcing him into reconsidering who he really is and brings back the memories of his love and friends in high school.
The final nominations for the Oscar’s Foreign Language Films will be announced on 23, January 2018, and the 90th Academy Awards ceremony will take place on 4 March, 2018.
Salama received the news while he was in Toronto, attending the film’s world premiere at Toronto International Film Festival where the film was met with great success. The Hollywood Reporter, an American magazine, described the film as “Toronto’s Hidden Gem”.
Sheikh Jackson, co-produced by Film Clinic and The Producers, is set to open El-Gouna Film Festival and participate in the official competition.
