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Exclusive: Oscar winner Jamie Foxx has boarded Egyptian filmmaker Sarah Goher’s directorial debut Happy Birthday as a producer under his banner Foxxhole Productions with producing partner Datari Turner.

The film is set to premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival today as part of the International Narrative Competition. Goher’s Egyptian narrative feature is the only Arab film in the festival, as well as the only film in the Arabic language.

Happy Birthday is described as a reflection of class disparities in Egypt and tells the moving story of Toha, a child maid, who goes against all odds so that Nelly, her best friend and the daughter of the family she works for, has a birthday party. Her mother Laila, caught in a pending divorce, is reluctant to make it happen but with Toha’s determination, Nelly’s wish for a birthday party comes true.

Goher co-wrote Happy Birthday with...

Moon Knight has quickly become one of the most popular superheroes in the MCU, thanks to the success of his solo Disney+ series. As with many Disney+ shows, Moon Knight was designed as a limited series with a set number of episodes, following the platform’s common approach.

However, rules are made to be broken. Despite the series wrapping up in a seemingly definitive way, fans have been holding out hope for a Moon Knight Season 2 for quite some time.

About a month ago, director Mohamed Diab, who worked on the show, reignited speculation about the character’s return. He emphasized that nothing is ever truly over with Marvel and expressed his eagerness to be involved in future projects featuring Moon Knight.

While no plans are currently in motion, Diab values his strong relationship with Marvel—leaving the door open for potential opportunities.

Now Brad Winderbaum head of Marvel Studios’ Television & Streaming shattered those hopes.

As a general rule, Black Clover's relationship with Naruto is gravely misunderstood. Black Clover is often accused of being a Naruto copycat, even by its own fan base. There are many seemingly shared elements, from a distance: a goofy protagonist with a high-pitched voice who dreams of becoming the leader of his society, against all odds considering the horrible power he harbors—but which he actually tames and uses to combat those who stand against the society from which he arises. The animation quirks of Studio Pierrot that underlie either series' adaptation don't do much to help matters.

In reality, Black Clover is by no means a Naruto copycat. In fact, Black Clover was among the first shōnen to majorly build on Naruto. One shining example of this is the rivalry between Asta and Yuno. Although the pair are frequently compared to Naruto and Sasuke, Black Clover cleverly avoids recreating...

Egyptian producer Mohamed Hefzy, CEO of Cairo-based production company Film Clinic, received the Variety International Vanguard Producer Award at the Red Sea Film Festival on Dec. 9, prior to the screening of his black and white silent film “Abdo & Saneya.”

Hefzy has just launched a Film Clinic outlet in the Saudi capital of Riyadh, and production is ramping up in the kingdom. Recent projects with Saudi Arabia include the Saudi-set adventure movie “Hajjan,” which had its world premiere at Toronto.

Film Clinic is one of Egypt’s biggest production houses and has played a key role in supporting emerging and independent talent, including Hani Khalifa’s recent thriller “Flight 404.” Egypt’s candidate for the 2025 International Feature Oscar, the film grossed over $4 million in Saudi Arabia alone.

Film Clinic has six films at Red Sea this year, including three in official competition: Khaled Mansour’s “Seeking Haven for Mr. Rambo,” Mahdi Fleifel...

Moon Knight received largely positive reviews when the series premiered on Disney+ in 2022. However, in the years that followed, the Marvel character's future has been uncertain.

Although there have been no official talks about what comes next, director Mohamed Diab says he hopes to get another opportunity to work on a follow-up to the series. "You never know. With Marvel, nothing is called finished," he told Deadline. "There could be a film, or he could go into another universe. Right now, nothing is in talks, but definitely with Moon Knight, I would love to be involved in anything else, and it could happen for sure. I have a great relationship with them," he added.

Related Marvels Blood Hunt is About to Unleash Moon Knight's Patron God

One of the strongest gods in the entire Marvel Universe is at the center of an Asgardian jailbreak, and his return could be a serious problem.

The future of Moon Knight in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is addressed by one of the directors who worked on Oscar Isaac's TV show.

In a new Deadline interview, Moon Knight episodic director Mohamed Diab was asked about his work on the Marvel TV show, including whether or not he knows if season 2 will happen for the show. Diab gave a candid response that "with Marvel nothing is called finished," saying Moon Knight could go in various directions, while stating the following:

You never know - with Marvel nothing is called finished. There could be a film, or he could go into another universe. Right now nothing is in talks but I definitely with Moon Knight, I would love to be involved in anything else and it could happen for sure. I have a great relationship with them.

Source: Deadline...

Filmmaker Mohamed Diab (Cairo 678) directed the first, third, fifth, and sixth episodes of Marvel Studios' Moon Knight, surely making him a top contender to take charge of another story featuring the character.

The Disney+ series ended on a huge cliffhanger; while Marc Spector and Steven Grant seemingly rid themselves of Khonshu, we'd later learn that a third personality - Jake Lockley - was secretly working as the Moon God's enforcer.

Updates on plans for Moon Knight have been few and far between over the past two years and Diab shared what he knows about the Fist of Khonshu's future in an interview with Deadline.

"You never know - with Marvel nothing is called finished. There could be a film, or he could go into another universe," the filmmaker shared. "Right now nothing is in talks but I definitely with Moon Knight, I would love to be involved in anything else...

Exclusive: Marvel’s Moon Knight Director Mohamed Diab has revealed fresh details about his new feature Lion, starring Egyptian megastar Mohamed Ramadan in a role inspired by Ancient Rome rebel slave Spartacus.

“It’s a period piece, a kind of Spartacus meets Braveheart set in 1850s Egypt,” said Diab, talking to Deadline on the fringes of Egypt’s El Gouna Film Festival.

Currently mid-way through shooting in Cairo, Lion marks Diab’s first picture back in his native Egypt since 2016 breakthrough Clash. In between times, he made the Palestine-set drama Amira, followed by directing Moon Knight for Marvel.

Diab has revealed very little about the new movie, which was originally announced under the title of Black Lion and is being billed as his most ambitious Arab-language production to date.

“It’s about slavery in the 1850s. It’s an epic film. It’s not based on a real person but inspired by true events.

A major dupe glitch in Diablo 4 prompts Blizzard to disable trading. Players exploiting a stash glitch can duplicate top-tier equipment, potentially unbalancing the upcoming expansion. Previous seasons of the game also had to disable trading due to duplication glitches, and it will likely happen again.

A recent glitch in Diablo 4 has caused waves amongst the community as Blizzard has had to step in to prevent the game's economy from falling apart. While the fourth mainline entry in the action RPG franchise has had its fair deal of bugs and glitches, it's ultimately regarded as a success amongst the player base, many of whom were worried about it following the dismal reception of Diablo: Immortal. Unfortunately, some problems are bigger than others and require drastic measures before they spread too far.

Posting on the Diablo 4 forums, Blizzard announced that it's disabling trading in Diablo 4 as the studio investigates a major bug causing havoc with the system.

Alongside the sharp direction from Mohamed Diab, Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead, Moon Knight stands out as one of the stronger MCU Disney+ shows. Depicting versatile actor Oscar Isaac in a fascinating dual-personality role juggling between two worlds of Marc Spector and Steven Grant, this series pulled the viewer’s heartstrings in six episodes. However, this compelling adventure has not been continued despite its massive success and eight Emmy nominations.

Oscar Isaac plays a man who suffers from Did in Moon Knight

But fans who have grown attached to the Khonshu avatar are not willing to let go just yet. They are fervently calling for the renewal of the show, especially after witnessing Jeremy Renner’s Hawkeye getting renewed for another season. It seems Kevin Feige, President of Marvel Studios may need to reconsider his decision regarding the show after seeing this.

MCU fans demand the return of Moon Knight...

It’s a momentous Cannes for Cairo-based film professionals Alaa Karkouti and Maher Diab as they mark the 15th anniversary of the creation of marketing and distribution company Mad Solutions and the 10th anniversary of spin-off the Arab Cinema Center (Acc).

Under these banners, the pair have been at the forefront of promoting Arab cinema internationally and played a part in growing its prominence on the world stage.

Acc kicks off its 10th Cannes program on Friday with a panel entitled “The Arab New Wave: The Actors” on the market’s Plage des Palmes venue.

Speakers on the panel will include iconic Egyptian actress Yousra, Mbc Studios Saudi Arabia General Manager Zeinab Abu Alsamh, top Lebanese TV presenter Raya Abi Rashed, Egyptian superstar Ahmed Malek and Yagoub Alfarhan, star of Saudi Arabia’s first film in Official Selection Norah as well as casting director Cassandra Han.

The swanky location and...

Exclusive: Newly launched Dubai-based sales company Mad World has acquired worldwide rights to Egyptian director Morad Mostafa’s Aisha Can’t Fly Away, a tense African migrant drama shooting later this year in Egypt.

The title joins the inaugural slate of Mad World, as the Arab cinema-focused sales arm of Mena distributor and talent agency Mad Solutions gears up for its Cannes Market debut next week.

Aisha Can’t Fly Away revolves around the story of Aisha, a 26-year-old African immigrant caregiver residing in Ain-shams, a Cairo neighborhood with a large African migrant community.

The film explores the intricate dynamics of a world where the authorities’ indifference to the violent tensions between Egyptians and various African nationalities has allowed different gangs to seize control. Aisha’s situation turns sour after one of these gangs offers protection in exchange for a favor.

Egypt-based South Sudanese model Buliana Simona plays Aisha in...

Top Middle East and North African independent distributor and talent agency Mad Solutions is adding a new string to its bow with the launch of Arab cinema-focused international sales company Mad World.

The Dubai-based company will make its market debut in Cannes.

Titles on its packed inaugural slate include French-Egyptian-Palestinian director Rani Massalha’s The Return of the Prodigal Son and Palestinian filmmaker Laila Abbas’s Thank You For Banking With Us. (scroll down for full line-up).

Mad World will be spearheaded by Mad Solutions co-founders Alaa Karkouti and Maher Diab, as well as third Managing Partner, Colin Brown, who will all assume Co-President titles.

“Until now, Arab filmmakers have been at the mercy of an international sales ecosystem with preconceived notions about what Arab cinema should be in order to travel,” commented Brown.

“We intend to challenge those limitations, exploring all manner of distribution options around the world, even unconventional ones,...

While the return of Oscar Isaac's Moon Knight is yet to be confirmed, the actor has revealed where he would like to see the character appear next.

"I thought there was an interesting opportunity with Midnight Sons," Isaac said while answering fan questions during a panel at the Middle East Film and Comic Con via Geek House Show on X. "There's such interesting characters in there, and now that we've set the groundwork with learning who Marc, Steven, Jake are, it could be an interesting opportunity to see him as part of a team and what that dynamic would be. So I think that would be exciting, I think for me, I definitely hope there's some room to explore that possibility."

Related Moon Knight Finally Introduces an MCU Hero to Marvel Comics But What's Different? The McU's Scarlet Scarab has finally stepped into the pages of Marvel Comics alongside Moon Knight,...

Moon Knight's intricate storytelling and complex characters have captivated viewers, especially with the mysterious and enigmatic character of Jake Lockley. Director Mohamed Diab reveals that the crucial narrative element of blackouts in the series was more captivating than the action sequences themselves, creating intrigue and suspense for the audience. Diab hints at a future storyline for Jake Lockley that is "much, much weirder" and emphasizes the potential for a second season, showcasing Marvel's unique approach to series continuation.

Moon Knight, the recent Disney+ limited series, has stirred up a storm with its intricate storytelling and complex characters. The series, directed by Mohamed Diab, takes viewers on a thrilling adventure through the fragmented psyche of Marc Spector and his alters. Among these, Jake Lockley stands as a figure shrouded in mystery and now, according to Diab, in much darker hues than previously perceived.

Marc Spector's journey, shared with his alter Steven Grant,...

Moon Knight's intricate storytelling and complex characters have captivated viewers, especially with the mysterious and enigmatic character of Jake Lockley. Director Mohamed Diab reveals that the crucial narrative element of blackouts in the series was more captivating than the action sequences themselves, creating intrigue and suspense for the audience. Diab hints at a future storyline for Jake Lockley that is "much, much weirder" and emphasizes the potential for a second season, showcasing Marvel's unique approach to series continuation.

Moon Knight, the recent Disney+ limited series, has stirred up a storm with its intricate storytelling and complex characters. The series, directed by Mohamed Diab, takes viewers on a thrilling adventure through the fragmented psyche of Marc Spector and his alters. Among these, Jake Lockley stands as a figure shrouded in mystery and now, according to Diab, in much darker hues than previously perceived.

Marc Spector's journey, shared with his alter Steven Grant,...

Moon Knight series director Mohamed Diab has revealed something about Marc Spector's alter, Jake Lockley, which puts the character in a much darker light than in the Disney+ and Marvel Studios limited series.

In Marvel Studios' Moon Knight: The Art of the Series, Diab discussed the blackouts Marc and Steven Grant had, which he said became more interesting to direct than the action. "We've all seen huge action sequences before, but now, anything could happen in a second," continued Diab. "You can be transferred somewhere else, and you don't know what happened. Even the protagonist doesn't know what happened! That glued people to their seats."

Related Rumor: Marvel Has Major Plans for Moon Knight's Breakout Hero A new rumor claims that Marvel Studios has mapped out a future for May Calamawy's Moon Knight character Layla El-Faouly/Scarlet Scarab.

"And at the end, we discovered that the blackouts were actually Jake,...

Director Mohamed Diab got started working on dramas, making his feature debut with the 2010 film Cairo 678, about “three women and their search for justice from the daily plight of sexual harassment in Egypt.” That was followed by the 2016 film Clash, which takes place entirely inside a police van and shows what happens when “a number of detainees from different political and social backgrounds are brought together by fate”. In 2021, he made Amira, which showed that a “girl’s world is turned upside down when she learns the man she grew up idolizing is not her real father.” Then he shifted gears, directing four of the six episodes that made up the Marvel / Disney+ series Moon Knight. And now Deadline reports that Diab has signed on to direct a sci-fi thriller called Leap.

Scripted by Source Code writer Ben Ripley and produced by The Picture Company, Leap is “a high...

Director Mohamed Diab is no stranger to mind-bending sci-fi, having helmed last year’s Marvel series “Moon Knight.” Deadline reports that the filmmaker will next tackle Leap, a high concept thriller that traps passengers of a high speed train in a time loop.

The sci-fi thriller is penned by writer Ben Ripley and produced by The Picture Company.

Leap is “set aboard the Eurostar train which runs high-speed between London and Paris. Leap is a high-concept action-thriller with a grounded sci-fi idea at the center. The story follows a daring rescue mission to save one of the train’s passengers, who is trapped onboard in a never-ending time loop.”

Diab broke out last year on Disney+ series “Moon Knight,” which centered on Oscar Isaac’s character, “an ex-Marine turned mercenary whose multiple alter egos allow him to better fight crime.” The split personalities integral to the series demonstrates that Diab...

Exclusive: Mohamed Diab is set to direct Leap, a high concept action thriller script by Source Code writer Ben Ripley and produced by The Picture Company.

This follows Studiocanal’s recent acquisition of a minority stake in The Picture Company under an expanded overall deal made during Cannes. Leap is a priority project for both companies. Partners Andrew Rona & Alex Heineman will produce for The Picture Company.

Pic is set aboard the Eurostar train which runs high-speed between London and Paris. Leap is a high-concept action-thriller with a grounded sci-fi idea at the center. The story follows a daring rescue mission to save one of the train’s passengers, who is trapped onboard in a never-ending time loop.

Diab’s breakout turn came when he recently directed the Marvel Studios/Disney+ series Moon Knight, starring Oscar Isaac. Diab made his directorial debut on Cairo 678, about a trio of female vigilantes...

One Piece season 2 is set to introduce fan-favorite villain Crocodile. Crocodile is expected to be One Piece season 2's main villain leading up to the Arabasta arc. Bobby Cannavale and Amir Diab, while less traditional choices, could bring a unique and unexpected twist to the character of Crocodile, with Cannavale's comedic background and Diab's stage presence as a pop star. A theory also suggests that a mystery actress from season 1 may have already been cast as Crocodile.

As excitement builds for more details surrounding One Piece season 2, it is safe to the the casting of Crocodile is one of the most important things regarding the show's future. Though Netflix's live-action anime adaptation has divulged somewhat from the order of events described in the original manga, One Piece season 2 is sure to include some of the most important moments from the source material now that the Straw Hats are entering the Grand Line.

The abundance of Marvel projects leaves little room for sequels, causing unresolved cliffhangers and a disjointed Multiverse Saga. Moon Knight season 2 won't happen, leaving unanswered questions about Jake Lockley and Layla El-Faouly's character development. Marvel Studios sticks to its plan, and despite the response to Moon Knight, a second season was never intended, as it was always meant to be a limited series.

A new Marvel Cinematic Universe update is bad for two massive cliffhangers in the Multiverse Saga. The MCU is in the thick of Phase 5, which means that it is in the middle of laying the groundwork for its next culminating projects: Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and Avengers: Secret Wars. However, thanks to its interconnected storytelling, it is also able to pick up narrative threads left by previous projects, allowing it to answer lingering questions that have been left unanswered.

Because of the sheer number of projects that...

Mohamed Diab's comments suggest that Moon Knight season 2 may not be developed for the MCU, as Marvel Studios has not officially confirmed its continuation. Despite the uncertainty, the popular characters from Moon Knight, such as Oscar Isaac's Marc Spector, could potentially appear in other projects within the MCU, including street-level stories or future Avengers films. There is speculation that Marvel Studios may be setting up a Midnight Sons team in the MCU, which could involve the return of Moon Knight and other supernatural characters. However, the future of Moon Knight in the MCU remains unclear at this time.

Mohamed Diab's comments suggest Moon Knight season 2 won't be developed for the MCU. Oscar Isaac debuted in the McU's Phase 4 as Marc Spector, a former mercenary with dissociative identity disorder (Did) who shares his body with alternate personalities Steven Grant and Jake Lockley, and is also the avatar of the...

Moon Knight's showrunner Mohamed Diab made controversial creative choices, most notably regarding fight scenes. Disney+'s Moon Knight focused too much on the supernatural elements, which neglected of the character's more grounded nature and other unique qualities. Moon Knight's future MCU appearances could benefit to adopt a grittier, darker tone that place more focus on Moon Knight himself.

The Disney+ Moon Knight series brought the macabre vigilante outside the comic books and into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In doing so, it also changed a lot about the character from what fans expected, and not always for the better. This included a direction that some felt cheated audiences of exciting content.

Showrunner Mohamed Diab's first season of Moon Knight heavily focused on the more supernatural elements of the character, all while intentionally cutting away from fight scenes and action sequences. This robbed the hero of his more grounded nature while emphasizing other,...

Moon Knight director Mohamed Diab spoke about the likelihood of the Fist of Khonshu's show getting a second season on Disney+.

During an interview with ArabicMarvel.com, an English translation of which was made by The Cosmic Circus, Diab was asked if Moon Knight having six episodes was his choice or something Marvel Studios made him do. "Marvel had determined [the number of episodes] from the first day," answered Diab. "Marvel's series projects are all six episodes except for special projects like WandaVision. The usual format is six episodes."

Related: Rumor: Marvel Has Major Plans for Moon Knight's Breakout Hero

"Loki is the only series they said will be in two parts from the first day," he concluded. "Marvel's way is not the usual way where if the project succeeds, I say let's renew it for a second season. It's their plan, successful or not, they have a plan."

This isn't the only time...

Mohamed Diab, director of the McU's Moon Knight on Disney+, spoke in a recent interview about the potential for a second season of the show.

The unconfirmed Moon Knight season 2 rumors have circulated for a while based on some substantial evidence, but a there’s been a lack of official confirmation of that news.

A post in August 2022 from Diab had said there was, at that point, "no talk about a future for the character yet." Then, in October, Oscar Isaac (Moon Knight) commented that "there have been some specific conversations," but the actor later clarified that "at the moment, there's no official word."

Read full article on The Direct.

Zack Snyder's impact on the DC Extended Universe (Dceu) is undeniable, despite mixed reactions to his films. Mohamed Diab, director of Marvel's Moon Knight, expressed optimism about James Gunn's work for DC and his upcoming projects. Diab had critiques of Snyder's directorial choices and expressed a longing to explore Batman through a Noir lens, emphasizing drama and tragedy.

Superhero tales have been the cinematic talk of the town, with DC and Marvel in a perpetual battle for box office accolades. Amid this backdrop, Marvel's Moon Knight director Mohamed Diab shared his thoughts on both the MCU and the Dceu in a recent interview.

Through films such as Man of Steel and both Justice League versions, Zack Snyder's innovative vision of DC characters became evident. Snyder's cinematic creations stirred diverse reactions, yet his significant impact on the Dceu is undeniable.

The 2017 Justice League film became a particularly contentious project.

While the fate of WandaVision's sequel has been a matter of speculation, it seems the direction for the series' continuation has now been indirectly revealed by Debra Jo Rupp, one of the show's stars. The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has been known for its unrivaled ability to keep fans on their toes, and the recent announcement regarding the second season of the popular Disney+ show, WandaVision, is no exception.

The pioneering season of WandaVision had indeed piqued the audience's curiosity, but Marvel had remained noncommittal on its continuation. Meanwhile, other Disney+ series, such as Loki starring Tom Hiddleston, had their follow-up seasons readily confirmed. The hesitancy on Marvel's part was not because of a lack of support or enthusiasm from the WandaVision cast.

Rupp's recent interview with Berkshire Magazine (via The Direct) has shed some light on the uncertainty surrounding WandaVision Season 2. The actress implied that Marvel Studios' upcoming series,...

Pan-Arab distributor Mad Solutions has acquired worldwide sales and distribution rights for Palestinian director Laila Abbas’ upcoming female empowerment drama “Thank You for Banking With Us!” and boarded the buzzed-about project as a co-producer.

The multi-pronged company that is active in marketing and talent representation – and has become a leading local distributor of Arabic-language films – recently branched out into international sales with Sudan’s Cannes title “Goodbye Julia.” The Cairo-based outfit, headed by Alaa Karkouti and Maher Diab, is also becoming more involved in packaging Arabic projects with international market prospects.

Laila Abbas is a Palestinian filmmaker, producer and academic who in 2013 made a splash with doc “Ice & Dust” about a young Palestinian woman who crosses the Atlantic ocean to search for a better life in Canada. In 2019, she was selected for Berlin Film Festival’s Berlinale Talents program to nurture emerging filmmakers.

“Thank You for Banking With Us!,” which is now in pre-production,...

This fall, Arab filmmakers will be out in force at such prestigious international fests as Venice and Toronto. Venice alone boasts six features from first- and second-time Arab directors in its official sections, plus an additional six works-in-progress at its Final Cut Production Bridge. Meanwhile, Toronto opens with “The Swimmers,” a drama from U.K. helmer Sally El Hosaini based on the journey of Syrian sisters and Olympic hopefuls Yusra and Sara Mardini, who fled the war in their home country for Germany. Yusra competed in the 2016 and 2021 Summer Olympics. An additional six Arab films will screen at the Canadian fest.

Dek: Arab filmmakers embrace genres and issues as festivals and distributors take notice

By Alissa Simon

This fall, Arab filmmakers will be out in force at such prestigious international fests as Venice and Toronto. Venice alone boasts six features from first- and second-time Arab directors in its official sections,...

Click here to read the full article.

Activist and professional football player Colin Kaepernick and his longtime girlfriend, radio and TV personality Nessa Diab, are parents.

Diab announced Sunday on Instagram that the couple welcomed a baby “a few weeks ago.”

“[W]e are over the moon with our growing family,” she wrote. “Recovering after delivery has been a journey (more on that later) and honestly I wasn’t going to share anything because this is sooooo personal to us and I realized I’m a complete mama bear! Colin is the most amazing dad and I’m soooo grateful that he is by our side for every moment of this journey.”

This is the first child for Kaepernick, who played six seasons for the San Francisco 49ers and is now a free agent, and Diab, who has a show on New York radio station Hot 97 and has appeared on on...

This Moon Knight article contains spoilers.

“Why else would we be in Cairo?” When Oscar Isaac asked that question in a viral TikTok video with director Mohamed Diab, it sparked hopes that a new season of Moon Knight was in the works. After all, since the first season ended its run in May, there has been no clear sign of what the future holds for Marc Spector, Steven Grant, and Jake Lockley in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Between the show’s lack of clear connection to the rest of the MCU and the single-season deal signed by Isaac, many wondered if the series would return for another go around at all. But while no official announcement has been made, the video — and Diab’s decision to share it with the header “Moonknight season 2?” — seems to indicate that Marc Spector and his many personalities could indeed return to television screens.

Sooooo Moon Knight Season 2 Or pic.

Click here to read the full article.

The call from Marvel Studios came out of the blue, recalls composer Hesham Nazih of when the studio reached out to ask for a demo reel of his compositions. It wasn’t until weeks later, when Nazih was called in for a meeting with the Marvel music department, that he learned they were interested in having him score the latest Disney+ miniseries, Moon Knight — and that Egyptian director Mohamed Diab, who was serving as an executive producer and directing four of the series’ six episodes, had recommended the Egyptian-born composer.

Nazih’s enthusiasm for the project grew immediately once he saw the first two episodes. “The character of Moon Knight, and the character of Marc Spector [one of the many dissociative personas played by star Oscar Isaac], is so rich, so dramatically full,” he says. So, too, were the dramatic elements in the show. “There was so much going on: tension, drama,...

“We all have darkness, we all have things we need to be forgiven for and that is something important to remember” declares editor Joan Sobel. She was referring to a recent quote she read from actress Mary Louise Parker when summing up how she describes one of the core narrative arcs in the spectacular Marvel Studios six-part limited series “Moon Knight.” Sobel served as one of three editors on the series alongside Cedric Nairn-Smith and Ahmed Hafez, each of them tackling two episodes each. Watch our exclusive video interview with Sobel, Nairn-Smith and Hafez above.

“Moon Knight” was created by Jeremy Slater, based on the Marvel comics featuring the character of the same name. Slater’s vision as head writer was then shepherded during production by Egyptian helmer Mohamed Diab (who directed four of the six episodes) with collaborators Aaron Moorhead and Justin Benson directing the second and fourth episodes...

When director Mohamed Diab approached the Disney+ series "Moon Knight," he was deeply concerned with making the series look and feel authentically Egyptian. A big part of that was bringing the sounds of Egypt to the production, and for that the director made a bold choice, playing songs by underground Egyptian musicians who had been banned by their own government.

Diab incorporated mahraganat, a genre of street-level Egyptian rap that has been banned by the country but grows in popularity among its people regardless. Just as hip-hop and rap gave voice to marginalized communities in America's inner cities, mahraganat developed as a type of party music that happened to...

The post The Banned Music That Gives Moon Knight Its Soundtrack appeared first on /Film.