Variety Europe and Egypt Join Forces on Gaza-Set Dramedy ‘Catch The Moon' British director Ken Loach's Sixteen Films production shingle, France's Le Pact, Germany's Pandora and Egypt's Film Clinic have joined forces to co-produce Gaza-set dramedy "Catch the Moon," by Palestinian director Sameh Zoabi. Pic marks a rare multi-pronged European-Arab co-production that could serve as a new model for mounting Arab movies with mainstream elements. Le Pacte will handle world sales. Rebecca O'Brien, who is Loach's partner in Sixteen Films, is producing "Moon," which is described as a heart-warming comedy. "Moon" is about a young Palestinian named Halim who's father whimsically commits to providing him and his future bride a Mercedes Benz as dowry, only to realize this is impossible due to the current Israeli blockade of the Gaza strip. They need to provide this dowry in order for the marriage to go ahead. Read More: http://variety.com/2015/film/news/cannes-europe-and-egypt-join-forces-on-gaza-set-dramedy-catch-the-moon-1201492897/ Press TV Egypt court sentences eight protesters to life in prison A court in Egypt has condemned eight anti-government protesters believed to be supporters of ousted President Mohamed Morsi to life in prison on charges of taking part in rallies against the incumbent military-backed government last year. On Tuesday, the court ruled in absentia that the defendants chanted slogans against the army and the police, blocked roads and damaged public property in the eastern al-Marg district of the capital, Cairo, in June 2014. The prosecution also accused the men of membership in a terrorist organization, carrying weapons, staging illegal protests, resisting authorities, attempting to undermine public safety, and damaging public and private buildings. Read More: http://variety.com/2015/film/news/cannes-europe-and-egypt-join-forces-on-gaza-set-dramedy-catch-the-moon-1201492897/ Arutz Shea Egypt Expands Gaza Buffer Zone to One Kilometer Egypt has expanded its buffer zone between Gaza and Sinai to one kilometer to protect its borders from any potential attacks Along with an update on the buffer zone, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi further announced that Egypt has destroyed over 80 percent of the tunnels on the border. He blamed foreign agents for the trouble his country is currently experiencing. Read More: http://variety.com/2015/film/news/cannes-europe-and-egypt-join-forces-on-gaza-set-dramedy-catch-the-moon-1201492897/ Press of Atlantic Youssef, the 'Jon Stewart of Egypt,' eyes next project after Harvard stint Bassem Youssef, the man dubbed the "Jon Stewart of Egypt," is eyeing new projects after teaching students at Harvard University's prestigious Kennedy School of Government how satire can disrupt the social and political order. At a recent appearance at a downtown Boston law firm, Youssef said he hasn't ruled out an eventual return to television. He's had plenty of offers, he says, but none caught his interest. "The offers would be like, 'Forget politics. Why don't you do a game show?'" Youssef says. "That we couldn't do. We can't risk sacrificing the brand." Read More: http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/life/youssef-the-jon-stewart-of-egypt-eyes-next-project-after/article_81b3d954-f12a-5931-a2f3-2d556d3c45c9.html
