‘The Idol’ shows the power of music

Palestinian director Hany Abu-Assad has dealt explicitly with the tinderbox politics of the Middle East in his previous films Paradise Now and Omar, both of which were nominated for foreign-language Oscars.

With the brighter, more optimistic and more conventional The Idol, he doesn’t completely abandon his particular point of view but channels it into a less confrontational and disturbing story. In fact, “the idol” in this case has as much to do with Western pop culture as Middle Eastern struggle: It tells the real-life story of the first Palestinian winner on Arab Idol, a version of American Idol.

Mohammed Assaf (Kais Attalah) is a 10-year-old boy growing up in Gaza who’s blessed with a beautiful voice. His parents encourage his talent and he forms a band with 12-year-old sister Nour (a vibrant Hiba Attalah) and a couple of friends to play traditional songs at weddings. (Nour has to disguise herself as a boy to pull this off.)

This first half of the film is beguiling but lacks the edge expected from Abu-Assad. That changes when we’re introduced to Assaf as a young man (played by an intense Tawfeek Barhom). He still has a powerful voice but, now working as a taxi driver to make ends meet, has few places to showcase it.

But he decides to give his passion another shot by auditioning for a talent show on Palestinian TV and, ultimately, Arab Idol. This is where the politics becomes more apparent: as a Gaza resident, he can’t easily leave for either of the auditions — one in Ramallah in the West Bank, the other in Cairo — without going through arduous border crossings and hassle.

On top of that, there’s the specter of religious extremism. A childhood friend, who had been in his band when they were kids, tells Mohammed that his desire to appear on Arab Idol is sinful and tries to stop him.

His courage at getting his voice heard beyond Gaza is one of the film’s pleasures and manages to build suspense, even though there’s no mystery about the eventual outcome. Not only does Assaf go on to win the contest but he is named a goodwill ambassador for peace by the U.N. Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees. His celebrity becomes intensely symbolic for many Palestinians.

Yet as background to Mohammed’s victory are the bombed buildings, checkpoint stops and chaotic urban panorama of Gaza — the film was actually filmed there — that Abu-Assad uses to show that one singer’s triumph can only go so far.

The Idol is a sunny crowd-pleaser but the dark clouds of reality are never far away.

Exclusive: Angelika Dallas

This story was originally published June 2, 2016 at 4:33 PM with the headline "‘The Idol’ shows the power of music."