Entertainment News Roundup

Ahmed Ezz Against Himself in ‘Wesh Tani’

Scenarist Mohamed Diab has finished writing the script for a new cinema project, ‘Wesh Tani’, which will star Egyptian actor Ahmed Ezz.

“Actress Menna Shalabi will be starring alongside Ahmed Ezz in the upcoming film,” Diab told FilFan.com.

“The movie’s story is about drug dealing. Ahmed Ezz will be playing the roles of twin brothers – one of them is a good guy, but the other brother isn’t,” Diab added. “The action-thriller will be a surprise for the audience.”

Ahmed Alaa will be directing the film in his first helming experience after eight years of assistant directing with acclaimed filmmaker Sherif Arafa.

Shooting is scheduled to start in December 2208.

Elissa Drops Plans with Laila Kanaan

Lebanese music star Elissa asked her manager to end negotiations with director Laila Kanaan who has been brainstorming on a new idea for the singer’s upcoming music video.

Elissa decided to take this step after learning that the director is preparing a music video for Nancy Ajram’s song ‘Lamset Eid’, according to Akhbar El-Nogoum magazine.

Nancy‘s 2008 album ‘Betfakkar fi Eah’ won her this year’s World Music Award for the bestselling album in the Middle East, whereas Elissa won the same award in 2005 and 2006.

El-Nabawi reads “Samia Shaarawi” script

Actor Khaled El-Nabawi is getting ready to read the script for the new television series “Samia Shaarawi”, as soon as writer Beshir El-Deek finalizes it.

El-Nabawi initially agreed to play the lead role in the show, which will be directed by Nader Galal and also stars Menna Shalabi.

The show tells the tale of a female journalist who falls in love with a man before learning that the Israeli Mossad recruited him, which drives her to work for the Egyptian intelligence to capture him.

Meanwhile, El-Nabawi has just wrapped up his promotional tour for the movie “Dokhan Bela Nar” which premiered in Abu-Dhabi, London and Carthage festivals.

He is also awaiting the premiere of his new movie “El-Mosafer”, directed by Ahmed Maher, which he co-stars in with legendary actor Omar Al-Charif.

Black Theama and Massar Egbari Together in Concert

Music bands ‘Black Theama’ and ‘Massar Egbari’ have agreed to perform both in two concerts – one in Cairo and the other on Alexandria.

“The two bands will perform at two concerts. The first one will be in Cairo on the 23rd of November at El-Sawi Culture Wheel in El-Zamalek. The gig will take place at 8 p.m. at the River Hall concert,” the bands’ manager Taymour Sameh (aka TemTem) told FilFan.com.

“The second concert will be at the Library of Alexandria. It’ll start at 8 p.m. on the 4th of December,” TemTem added.

At the beginning of the concerts, both bands will unite to sing one of Mohamed Mounir’s songs. After that Massar Egbari will perform for 45 minutes before Black Theama take the stage for another 45 minutes. Then the two bands will perform the concert’s final song together.

Entertainment News Roundup

Hamaki nominated for EMA

Egyptian singer Mohamed Hamaki was pleased to find out he was nominated for Best Young Artists at the European Music Awards (EMA).

Hamaki said he stumbled across the nomination on MTV’s official website.

“I was surprised to find my name among other Middle Eastern musicians and artists for the best young Middle Eastern singer. Since then, I’m over the moon,” Hamaki told FilFan.com exclusively.

“Just being nominated means I’m only the right track, the track I laid for myself from the beginning. I’m finally garnering some regional and international recognition, I really want to win,” he added.

Hamaki’s second album had the highest sales in the Middle East in 2006. Second in line is Carole Samaha.

Imam postpones “Zahaymar” indefinitely

Legendary actor Adel Imam has decided to postpone his film “Zahaymar” indefinitely after expressing his interest in a new script written by Youssef Maati.

The veteran comic was only a few days away from the start of production for the “Zahaymer” movie before announcing he was postponing it, according to tabloid Laha.

Maati’s new script revolves around a business man who decides to go through new ventures with four young entrepreneurs who experience difficulties along the way.

The duo’s last collaboration was in the summer blockbuster “Hassan we Morkos”.

Elissa Starts Work on New LP

Elissa is currently holding sessions with top musicians to prepare for her upcoming album by Rotana.

“Elissa has chosen a few songs I’ve worked on for her new album. Throughout the coming days we’ll be deciding on the type of music she’ll include in her new record,” Egyptian lyricist-composer Mohamed Refaie told FilFan.com.

He also added that the Lebanese diva hasn’t chosen any music arrangers to collaborate with yet on her new LP.

Refaie also mentioned that Elissa may have some music arrangers from Spain on board her upcoming music project.

Kivanc Tatlitug Not Acting in Egypt Yet

Turkish actor Kivanc Tatlitug, famous for his role as Mohaned in the popular soap opera Noor, recently received many offers to star in Egyptian dramas during a quick workday in Egypt.

The actor was in Egypt for one day to shoot a television commercial for a ceramic company and fielded several opportunities to star in Egyptian television and cinema projects, according to El-Mawead magazine.

However, Tatlitug may not be accepting any roles in Egypt just yet. He’s waiting until his new television series ‘Khalil we Narges’ airs in Egypt before expanding his acting career to the Middle East’s Hollywood, according to the magazine.