Upcoming Egyptian film Sheikh Jackson was picked up by Media Luna, a reputable world sales company based in Germany, for international distribution plans. The company provides marketing strategies tailored to each film, offering them “an effective and sensible placement at the international market,” as stated on their website. Directed by Amr Salama, the film is set on the day of pop star Michael Jackson's death in 2009, and centres on a sheikh, who in his youth at school was dubbed "Jackson" by his colleagues. The story goes on to explore the emotions stirred by the pop star's death, sparking a series of existential questions within the sheikh. Salama is a self-taught, award-winnig filmmaker and writer, who previously wrote and directed Zay Ennaharda (On a Day like Today, 2008) and Asmaa (2011) and La Moakhza (Excuse My French, 2013). Sheikh Jackson stars Ahmed El-Fishawy, Ahmed Malek, Maged El-Kedwany, and Amina Khalil. The film is produced by Egyptian production houses The Producers and Film Clinic, which reportedly negotiated the deal with Media Luna. “We are proud to lead this young talented director to cross borders with such a delicate story, told with such an original tone and visionary in its way,” Ida Martins, CEO of Media Luna, was quoted as saying by Variety. On their website, Media Luna says their focus is on “international arthouse productions by emerging talents, whose realisations differentiate themselves through their original approach and unique style.” Last December, Sheikh Jackson was selected from a number of highly-anticipated Arab films in different stages of production, to be screened exclusively as part of the Arab Cinema Lab – an incubator for financing new projects -- at the Dubai International Film Festival. The film has yet to be given a release date in Egypt, but is expected in cinemas soon, Salama has shared the film's poster on his Facebook page with the caption “coming soon.” For more arts and culture news and updates, follow Ahram Online Arts and Culture on Twitter at @AhramOnlineArts and on Facebook at Ahram Online: Arts & Culture
