Entertainment Roundup 11/1

Hend Sabri says yes to ‘Make-Up’

Hend Sabri has agreed to star in new cinema project ‘Make-Up,’ a film penned by Syrian scribbler Zoheir Qanou and directed by Ahmed Yousri, according to El-Dostour newspaper.

Most of the scenes will be shot in Egypt, but first the director and writer have to settle on a production company and the rest of the actors that will star in the psycho-drama alongside Sabri.

In other news, Sabri is currently filming her upcoming movie ‘Ibrahim El-Abyad,’ in which she will be sharing the screen with Ahmed El-Sakka, Mahmoud Abdel-Aziz and Sawsan Badr.

‘Ibrahim El-Abyad’ is written by Abbas Abou El-Hassan, directed by Marwan Hamed and produced by Good News Film.

Mostafa “Best Musical Composer” of 2008

Singer and composer Amr Mostafa was chosen as the Best Musical Composer of 2008 through a Middle East Broadcast radio network poll.

“I’m very happy for this choice. They called me up as soon as the polls closed and they got the final tally, while on air. I’m very proud,” Mostafa told FilFan.com exclusively.

A show was scheduled for the results, but Minister of Media Anas El-Fekky called it off until the Gaza situation is resolved.

Mostafa was also chosen as the best musical composer of 2007 by Dear Guest magazine.

Meanwhile, Mostafa is working on his third album, in addition to composing three new songs for Amr Diab’s latest “on hold” album.

Heneidi preps ‘Ramadan Mabrouk’ sequel

Even though new film ‘Ramadan Mabrouk Abou El-Alameen Hamouda’ is still in theaters and hot in the box office, a sequel is being prepared for the comedy.

Shooting of the follow-up for the comedy starring Mohamed Heneidi is scheduled to start next April, El-Dostour reports.

‘Ramadan Fi El-Chanzalize’ is the title of the new cinema project which will be filmed in Cairo and Paris.

Actors Mohamed Heneidi, Cerine Abdel-Nour, Laila Taher, Mohamed Sharaf and Ezzat Abou Ouf are expected to reprise their roles in the sequel produced by Good News Film along with arising actors Amr Mostafa, Tarek El-Abyari and Amir El-Masri.

Hisham Abbas ends business with Alam El-Phan

Hisham Abbas has decided not to renew his contract with major star production company Alam El Phan.

His contract has expired with the start of the new year, as his upcoming album is almost ready to hit the market.

“My contract with Alam El Phan has ended with my last album ‘Ya Habibi Taala Ganbi’,” Abbas told FilFan.com.

“I also plan to produce my own work in the future. I want to present something new that’s not in the market already, without having anybody interfering in my work,” the singer added.

Hisham’s upcoming album is expected to be out just in time for Valentine’s Day.

Entertainment News Roundup

Diab Collaborates with Mostafa on His New Album

After a series of disagreements and disputes, pop star Amr Diab is back on track with top composer Amr Mostafa. The two will be collaborating together on Diab’s upcoming LP after their mutual friend lyricist Khaled Tag El-Din managed to settle things between them.

Now on good terms, Mostafa is composing a song written by Khaled Tag El-Din for Diab, which will be the lead song on the new record.

Other big names on board the new music project include composer Khaled Ezz and lyricist Ayman Bahgat Amar.

Amal Hejazi Prepares Two Music Videos

Lebanese singer Amal Hejazi is temporarily back from her pregnancy vacation to shoot two music videos from her latest album ‘Keef El-Amar’.

The diva has started filming ‘Daq El-Miy’ and ‘Keef El-Amar’ from the album which was released early 2008, according to El-Anbaa newspaper.

Helmer Said El-Marouk and the singer decided to film the clips before Amal’s pregnancy starts showing.

Hejazi got married last August and since she’s been pregnant has decided not to perform live in any concerts, including New Year’s.

Instead, she’ll be celebrating with her husband. The ultrasound pictures show that the couple’s first child will be a boy.

Tamer Ashour Fans Can Now Choose His New Clip

Singer-composer Tamer Ashour has decided to survey his fans on which song he should shoot a music video for from his latest album ‘Had Beyheb’ which was released less than two months ago.

“Ashour will meet up with his fans in a public outing this week to discuss with them his career and his future plans,” a source close to the singer told FilFan.com.

“He’s also going to let a few of the fans tell him their opinions on his debut album ‘Had Beyheb’, in addition to other things, but most importantly the song that his fans would like him to shoot a music video for,” the source added.

“Ashour wants his fans to choose from ‘Hagi Ala Nafsi’, ‘Eftara’na’, and ‘Kelmet Shokr’. Fans that won’t be in the outing this week can vote through the online survey Ashour has on his fan page and on his Facebook page,” the source said.

The Emams in ‘Nagi Atallah’

Acclaimed actor Adel Emam is getting ready to star in new cinema project ‘Fariq Nagi Atallah’.

The cinema star will be starring in the movie directed by his son helmer Rami Emam alongside his other son, actor Mohamed Emam, Bahraini newspaper ‘El-Wasat’ reports.

‘Fariq Nagi Atallah’ is a temporary name for the film which is scribbled by Youssef Maati.

The shooting date, production company and the rest of the film’s crew haven’t been settled on yet.

Entertainment News Roundup

Diab’s New Album to Be Out on New Year’s Eve

Rotana spokesman Hossam Mostafa denied recent rumors claiming that Amr Diab will receive his new album’s master copy today, Nov. 30.

“That’s not true. We haven’t set a date yet. Amr will receive the master copy when he’s finished with it,” Mostafa told FilFan.com.

He also added that Diab is doing all he can to finish the upcoming album, produced by Rotana, in time to be out on Dec. 31.

Ahmed El-Feshawi Confesses: “I Am Lina’s Father”

After a series of court cases and controversial disputes, actor Ahmed El-Feshawi admitted on Saturday’s episode of ‘El- Beat Betak’ that he is the father of Hend El Henawy’s daughter, Lina.

He revealed that after a lot of deep thinking, he decided to take the DNA test which proved that Lina is – without a doubt – his daughter.

“The relationship between me and Hend is better now and full of respect; even my parents are now enjoying being Lina’s grandparents,” El-Feshawi said.

He also added that Lina calls his mother, actress Somaya El-Alfi, ‘Semsema’ and that his father, actor Farouk El-Fishawi, has started waking up early to play with her.

El-Feshawi confirmed that he was keen to talk about his decision on the program because he believes that the audience that followed this case deserves to know how it ended.

El-Feshawi’s last cinema project ‘Zay El-Naharda’ is now showing in theaters. The film, directed by Amr Salama, stars Basma and Asser Yassin. He is currently shooting ‘Telk El-Ayam’ directed by Ahmed Ghanem and starring Mahmoud Hemida.

Zaki still on for Hamaki cinema debut

Writer Tamer Habib has insisted that Mona Zaki did not withdraw from singer Mohamed Hamaki’s first try at movies in “Fok El-Gezira Lewahdena”.

“She didn’t withdraw from the movie, simply because I haven’t finished it yet. I have no idea where these reports came from,” Habib told FilFan.com exclusively.

“Hamaki and Mona initially agreed to make my film together. We also all agreed the director would by Wael Ehsan, and that the current name would only be temporary,” he added.

Habib also revealed that he was meeting with Hamaki intensively to finalize the script, which will include a number of songs for Hamaki.

Mais Hemdan Prepares For ‘Ya Donia’

Arising actress Mais Hemdan is preparing to shoot short film ‘Bahlam Ya Donia Begad’ under the direction of Sameh El-Shawadi.

The new project’s story, scenario and dialogue are written by Maher Zohdi. Filming is set to be in Alexandria, according to Akhbar El-Nogoum magazine.

The movie follows the story of Faten who is the only responsible person supporting her family because her mother is ill, her father refuses to work and her brother is unemployed.

Amr Mostafa Wins EMI Award

Singer-composer Amr Mostafa travelled to Dubai last Sunday morning to receive EMI’s Golden Shield for his album ‘Alama Fi Hayatak’. The annual award is given to a singer whose albums sales exceed 100,000 copies in other countries.

“EMI distributes the album outside Egypt, that’s why they’re the only ones that can monitor the Arabic albums’ sales in the other countries” Mostafa Sorour, Amr Mostafa’s manager told FilFan.com. “A few days ago they announced that Amr Mostafa’s album sold more than 100,000 copies in other countries, making him the winner of the award.”

“Amr is invited to celebrate his award in a conference that will be attended by international and Arabic media at Dubai’s Virgin Mega Store on Tuesday, 25th November. He’ll return to Cairo the following Thursday morning,” Sorour added.