The Egyptian films “Kiss Me Not” (Balash Tebosny) and “Sheikh Jackson” are set to take part in the 21st Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF), taking place in China from 16 to 25 June.
Kiss Me Not competes in a recently launched programme at the festival, the Belt and Road Film Week, over three awards: Audience Choice Award, Media Choice Award for Film, and Media Choice Award for Filmmaker.
The movie Kiss Me Not to be screened five times throughout the festival for audiences, while “Sheikh Jackson” to be screened three times.
The film, written and directed by Ahmed Amer, tells the story of a young director who is having a hard time dealing with the actress and producer of his latest film, as their stubbornness causes them to refuse accepting other points of view. It had its international premier at the Dubai International Film Festival in 2017.
Amr Salama’s Sheikh Jackson tells the story of a strict Islamic cleric (sheikh) who has a hidden passion for Michael Jackson, which takes over him after he hears of Jackson’s death. While the lead was used to be dubbed with Jackson back in high school, the death of his favourite star Jackson sparks a series of questions inside the him as a sheikh at the time when the death happens, forcing him into reconsidering who he really is and bringing back the memories of his love and friends in high school.
The film stars Ahmed El-Fishawy, Ahmed Malek, and Maged El-Kidwany. The film was Egypt’s selection to participate in the best foreign-language film competition at the Oscars in 2018.
The film landed its premier at El-Gouna Film Festival last year.
