Cairo-set Cannes thriller takes aim at Egypt's president
Director Tarik Saleh said he decided that, if he was going to address Egyptian politics head-on in his latest film, it needed to include Egypt's current president.
In his explosive political thriller "Eagles of the Republic", which premiered in Cannes on Monday, the Swedish-Egyptian filmmaker used real footage of President Abdelfattah al-Sisi and even found a lookalike to briefly play him.
"I don't have a choice because he's a constant. He will sit there until he dies," the Sweden-based director told AFP ahead of the screening in the Cannes Festival's main competition.
His third Cairo-set feature -- after 2017 "The Nile Hilton Incident" and "Cairo Conspiracy" which won best screenplay at Cannes in 2022 -- includes a hair-raising twist that Saleh said surprised even him when he wrote it.
Shot in Turkey with largely non-Egyptian actors, the film starts off following the fictional George Fahmy, Egypt's most celebrated actor, who is pressured into starring in a propaganda film about the country's leader.
Fahmy -- played by Swedish-Lebanese actor Fares Fares -- looks nothing like the general turned president, and is much taller than him, but that does not seem to be a problem.
The Egyptian military has for decades held a sizeable stake of the economy, and after Sisi seized power it "took over the film industry within a year", Saleh said.
He said he was inspired to write his film after a television series called "The Choice" came out in Egypt, in which actor Yasser Galal plays Sisi as he rises to power.
"Galal, who's this tall, very handsome actor, plays him. And when I saw that TV series, I was like, this is absurd. I mean, El-Sisi is 1.66" metres (5ft 4ins) tall, Saleh said.
The Egyptian leader was portrayed as "very noble in every interaction", and the Islamist president he toppled in 2013, Mohamed Morsi, was depicted as "cross-eyed", he added.
- Sisi 'under pressure' -
Saleh said he asked himself what he would have done if he lived in Egypt and the authorities asked him to direct such a story.
The result is "Eagles of the Republic", in which a filmmaker is also forced against his will to direct the propaganda film.
Egypt has been ruled by a president hailing from the military since 1952 -- with the exception of Morsi, who was elected after the 2011 Arab Spring uprising.
Since the worst-ever Gaza war broke out after Palestinian militant group Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, Egypt under Sisi has walked a diplomatic tightrope.
It has condemned Israel and rejected US President Donald Trump's proposal to take over Gaza and push its more than two million inhabitants into neighbouring Egypt and Jordan.
But it has also mediated in truce talks and kept diplomatic relations with Israel.
Sisi is "under pressure because of the conflict", said Saleh.
ah/fg/rmb
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Post
2 hours ago
- New York Post
Bonnaroo music festival co-founder Jonathan Mayers dead at 51
Jonathan Mayers, an innovative music festival creator known for co-founding Bonnaroo and Superfly Entertainment, died at the age of 51. 'Our hearts are extremely heavy as we mourn the loss of one of our co-founders, Jonathan Mayers,' Bonnaroo wrote in an Instagram story posted on Tuesday. 'For more than a decade, Jonathan was a creative force behind this festival that so many of us have held near and dear to our hearts now for more than twenty years.' A cause of death was not given. 4 Jonathan Mayers died at the age of 51. Getty Images for Relix The live entertainment producer's death was announced days before Bonnaroo kicked off in Manchester, Tenn. as attendees were already on site camping ahead of the annual music event. 'As a very small token of our appreciation for what he contributed to Bonnaroo, we will plant a tree in his honor on The Farm,' Bonnaroo's Instagram post added. The Farm at Bonnaroo is where the festival has occurred since he co-founded it in 2002. 'Our thoughts are with Jonathan's family and friends during this very difficult time,' the festival's account shared. 'This weekend we celebrate Jonathan by doing the two things we know best to do in our favorite place on the planet. Spreading love and radiating positivity. Thank you, Jonathan. This one's for you.' The music festival, which runs from June 12-15, is known for its diverse lineup. 2025 headliners include Luke Combs, Olivia Rodrigo, Avril Lavigne, Nelly, and Vampire Weekend. 4 Bonnaroo is an annual music festival based in Manchester, Tenn. Amy Harris/Invision/AP 4 Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival is scheduled to begin on Thursday. Getty Images Outside Lands, a San Francisco-based music festival Mayers co-founded under Superfly, paid tribute to him in an Instagram post on Tuesday. 'Jonathan was the creative force behind so much of what makes Outside Lands feel magical,' the post claimed. 'He had a gift for dreaming up the surprise-and-delight moments that turned ordinary spaces into unforgettable experiences. From the Ranger Dave statue and Choco Lands to the whimsical bridge facade on top of the Lands End stage, all Jon.' 'More than anything, we will miss his unwavering dedication to bringing people together, his passion for pushing boundaries, his infectious laugh, and his ability to tap into the inner child in all of us. Thank you for your vision, your heart, and the magic you brought into this world. We will miss you dearly.' 4 The music festival co-founder's cause of death has not been given. Denver Post via Getty Images Mayers left Superfly in 2021 to create Core City Detroit, which sought to raise money and invest in 'culturally rich' neighborhoods, according to an investment deck of the project reviewed by Music Row. The concert producer was also behind creating fan experiences like the 'Friends' pop-up SoHo and 'The Seinfeld Experience' in New York's Gramercy neighborhood.
2 hours ago
In 'Youth Group' comic, evangelical kids sing silly songs about Jesus, fight demons
(RNS) — When he was a teenager in the 1990s, Jordan Morris was always up for a bit of mischief — as long as it didn't involve sex or drugs, two things he was sure would kill him. So he went to a megachurch youth group, which promised teenage shenanigans without much danger. The 'sanitized mischief,' as he describes it, was perfect for Morris, who grew up as a nerdy, nervous kid. 'Youth group was great for me,' Morris said. 'We can put on a show, we can sing little songs, we can do little skits. We can toilet paper the pastor's house and clean it up later. And I just don't have to worry that someone is going to try and pressure me into something that I'm scared of.' Now a Los Angeles-based comedy writer and podcaster, Morris has fond memories of his time in youth group. Those memories — and his love for horror movies like 'The Exorcist' — inspired him to write 'Youth Group,' a graphic novel about church teens who fight demons while singing silly songs about Jesus. ___ ___ Think 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' — the 1990s hit movie and later television series — goes to church. 'I thought it would be a fun challenge,' Morris, whose previous graphic novel, 'Bubble,' was nominated for an Eisner Award, told Religion News Service in an interview earlier this year. 'Can we do one of those religious horror stories, but make it kind of funny?' Morris also said he'd rarely seen stories set in the kind of youth group he'd grown up in. 'I've just never seen that little world written about in a way that I thought was like, accurate or, like, that got what it was about,' he said. Published last year by New York-based First Second Books, 'Youth Group' tells the story of Kay Radford, a theater kid who winds up joining the Stone Mission megachurch youth group after her parents split up. Her mom is a true believer but lonely. Kay is more skeptical but lonely as well and angry at her dad. 'Church might help with all this,' Kay's mom tells her early on. 'I think we both could use some community.' At the youth group, Kay is met by youth leader Meg Parks, a kind but sometimes over-the-top youth leader in pink; a bearded, hippy pastor who turns the 'Pina Colada song' — the Rupert Holmes hit 'Escape' — into a metaphor for spiritual seeking; and a band that churns out parodies like 'I Saw the Christ' sung to the melody of Ace of Base's 'The Sign.' Though fictional, the songs fit the kind of pop culture reference — sometimes known as a 'Jesus juke' — that youth groups can be known for. 'I always think there's something funny about that move, where you take a secular piece of entertainment, like a song that's in the zeitgeist, or a popular movie and try and give the hidden religious message,' Morris said. Kay eventually discovers the youth pastor and some of the older Stone Mission kids also fight demons. That fight becomes personal after one of the demons goes after her dad, and Kay decides to join the battle. Along the way, the Stone Mission kids team up with youth groups from other faiths — Temple Beth Israel, Immaculate Heart parish and the Polaris Coven — to fight off a demon invasion with the help of some training by an order of nuns. Morris said he and illustrator Bowen McCurdy wanted to tell a story that was more than just satire. And while he no longer embraces the faith of his youth, Morris still sees value in the lessons he learned, like the importance of loving your neighbor. 'We wanted to tell a story of people from a lot of different religions coming together with a common goal,' he said. Matthew Cressler, a religion scholar and creator of the webcomic series 'Bad Catholics, Good Trouble,' said comics with evangelical or denominational settings like 'Youth Group' are uncommon. Religion in comics, he said, is often seen as 'a marker of difference': for example, Kamala Khan, the Muslim-American hero known as Ms. Marvel, or Matt Murdock, better known as Daredevil, who is Irish-Catholic. In the 1960s, when Daredevil was created, Catholics were still seen as outsiders to the American mainstream, and many of the most popular heroes, like Batman, were seen as Mainline Protestants. While there were comics for evangelicals, they were often evangelistic, like the controversial Jack Chick tracts or the Christianized adventures of Archie and his friends, published by Spire Comics starting in the 1970s. And evangelicals have often downplayed the kind of sacramental imagery and architecture found in mainline or Catholic settings and try to avoid the kind of visuals needed for comics, said Cressler. Matthew Brake, founder and editor of online publication Pop Culture and Theology, said non-denominational churches often have a 'let's go to the mall aesthetic' and lack the visual clout of Catholicism. 'Nondenominational churches are sort of a cultural underdog,' he said. That may change, Brake said, as creators like Morris, who grew up in non-denominational settings, come of age. And those settings often contain surprises. Although they are most known for things like worship music and purity culture, megachurches also provide space to talk about things like social justice. Still, he wonders if many nondenominational Christians would be the kinds of fans that would enjoy a book like 'Youth Group' or 'Preacher,' a late-1990s comic about an evangelical pastor who ends up possessed by a supernatural being. David Canham, who reviews comics for the secular pop-culture website AIPT — short for 'Adventures in Poor Taste' — had mixed feelings about 'Youth Group.' 'First off, there's plenty of '90s nostalgia — a good-natured tongue-in-cheek look back at many of the silly and absurd things about '90s culture, with a focus on evangelical Christian culture,' he wrote when the book came out. ''Youth Group' delivers on this point.' But the book's take on pluralism — the idea that all religion is on the same side — turned him off as an evangelical Christian. 'I don't want to recommend a book that promotes a worldview that so strongly disagrees with my own beliefs,' he wrote. At first, Morris said he was worried the book might offend Christians and atheists alike. Some evangelicals might feel the book mocks their faith, while atheists might think the book overlooks the shortcomings of religious groups. Both those criticisms would be fair, he said. Religious groups get a lot of things wrong, and yet churches and other faith groups remain important to their members. Morris said he tried to walk a fine line of gently poking fun at faith while showing why it still has an impact on people's lives, and how the friendships made in youth groups may long endure. 'I didn't want the humor to be like, church is stupid, or say, 'look at this dumb church stuff,'' he said. 'I wanted it to be funny and familiar.' Morris said he wanted to capture the mixed feelings people have about the faiths in which they grew up. While he appreciated Bible teachings like caring for the needy, some of the politics and social messages, especially about LGBTQ+ folks, were a turnoff, he said. Religion, he said, is complicated. 'There are a lot of wonderful memories, and there's a lot of stuff that gives me the ick,' he said. 'I hope that's in the book. I hope you can see how a religious upbringing can be upsetting and wonderful — comforting but also makes you mad.'
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Did you know these 30 famous people have ties to Rockford, Illinois?
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — While Rockford, Illinois will likely be forever known for its time as one of the largest manufacturing hubs in the United, States, the city has produced an exceptional array of individuals who have left significant marks on history, culture, sports, entertainment, literature, journalism, and more. From pioneering scholars to celebrated athletes, artists, authors, and journalists, the city's legacy spans diverse fields. Here is a list 30 notable people who were either born and raised in Rockford or have significant ties to the city. Profession: Archaeologist, Egyptologist, historianNotable Achievements: Born in Rockford in 1865, Breasted was the first American to earn a Ph.D. in Egyptology from Yale in 1894. He founded the University of Chicago's Oriental Institute in 1919 with John D. Rockefeller Jr.'s support and coined the term 'Fertile Crescent.' His work on Egyptian tombs, including aiding Howard Carter's 1922–23 Tutankhamun excavation, popularized archaeology. Breasted's work is also believed to have partly inspired the movie character, Indiana Jones. He died in 1935 in New York and is buried in Rockford's Greenwood Connection: Born and raised in Rockford. Profession: Fashion designer, DJ, entrepreneurNotable Achievements: Born in Rockford in 1980, Abloh became a global fashion icon as the artistic director of Louis Vuitton's menswear and the founder of Off-White. The first Black designer to lead a major fashion house, he collaborated with Nike and exhibited at Chicago's Museum of Contemporary Art. Abloh died in 2021 from cancer. He was Connection: Born and raised in Rockford, graduated from Boylan Catholic High School. Profession: Filmmaker, cinematographerNotable Achievements: Liu moved to Rockford at age 5 after immigrating from China. He went on to direct 2018's 'Minding the Gap,' a documentary he filmed in Rockford. The Oscar-nominated film, exploring skateboarding, abuse, and resilience, earned a 100% Rotten Tomatoes score. Liu has also worked on projects like 'All These Sons' (2021).Rockford Connection: Raised in Rockford from age 5, attended Rockford schools and Rock Valley College. Profession: BoxerNotable Achievements: Born in Rockford in 1904, Mandell, known as the 'Rockford Flash,' won the World Lightweight Boxing Championship in 1926 at age 22, defeating Rocky Kansas at Chicago's Comiskey Park. With 28 knockouts in 168 rights, Mandell was inducted into the Illinois Sports Hall of Fame in 1962. He also ran a gym in Rockford. He died in 1967 at the age of Connection: Born and raised in Rockford and trained locally. Profession: ActorNotable Achievements: Born in Los Angeles in 1946 but raised in Rockford, Saint James earned Emmy nominations for 'McMillan & Wife' (1971–76) and 'Kate & Allie' (1984–89). She won an Emmy for 'The Name of the Game' (1969) and starred in films like 'Love at First Bite' (1979). A three-time Golden Globe nominee, she later became a Connection: Raised in Rockford and attended Rockford schools. Profession: ActorNotable Achievements: Born in Chicago in 1959, Quinn lived in Rockford while his father taught English literature at Rock Valley College. Quinn is known for his roles in 'Desperately Seeking Susan' (1985), 'Benny & Joon' (1993), and 'Legends of the Fall' (1994), he also starred in 'Elementary' and 'Law & Order: SVU.'Rockford Connection: Lived in Rockford and attended Rockford Public Schools. Profession: Actor, voice actor, singerNotable Achievements: Born in Rockford in 1961, Benson is best known as the voice of Ariel in Disney's 'The Little Mermaid' (1989) and its sequels. She voiced Barbie in 'Toy Story 2″ and Toy Story 3' and earned Tony and Helen Hayes nominations for Broadway's 'Crazy for You.' Her other work includes 'Thumbelina' (1994) and 'Enchanted' (2007).Rockford Connection: Born and raised in Rockford, graduated from Boylan Central Catholic High School. Profession: Professional basketball playerNotable Achievements: Born in Rockford in 1994, VanVleet won an NBA championship with the Toronto Raptors in 2019 and became an All-Star in 2022. An undrafted player out of Wichita State, VanVleet graduated from Auburn High School, where he was a four-year star for the Knights. He now plays for the Houston Connection: Born and raised in Rockford, graduated from Auburn High School. Profession: Singer, actorNotable Achievements: Born in Rockford in 1979, Williams joined Destiny's Child in 2000, contributing to hits like 'Survivor.' A graduate of Auburn High School's Creative and Performing Arts program, she released the gospel album 'Heart to Yours' (2002) and the pop album 'Unexpected' (2008). She also starred in Broadway's 'Aida.'Rockford Connection: Born and raised in Rockford, attended Auburn High School. Profession: Actor, singerNotable Achievements: Born in Rockford in 1960, Mazzie was a Tony-nominated Broadway star for 'Passion'(1994), 'Ragtime' (1998), and 'Kiss Me, Kate' (1999). Known for her powerful soprano voice, she appeared in 'Next to Normal' and 'Bullets Over Broadway.' She died in Connection: Born and raised in Rockford. Profession: Actor, director, producerNotable Achievements: Born in Rockford in 1962, Mantello won Tony Awards for directing 'Take Me Out' (2003) and 'Assassins' (2004). He earned a Tony nomination for acting in Angels in America (1993) and directed Broadway hits like 'Wicked.'Rockford Connection: Born in Rockford. Profession: PoliticianNotable Achievements: Born in Rockford in 1922, Anderson served as a U.S. Representative from Illinois (1961–81) and ran as an independent in the 1980 presidential election, earning 6.6% of the vote. Known for his progressive Republican views, he's a significant figure in Rockford's political history. Anderson died in Connection: Lifelong resident of Rockford. Profession: Astronaut, engineerNotable Achievements: Born in South Bend, Indiana, in 1956, Voss grew up in Rockford and flew on five NASA Space Shuttle missions, logging over 18 million miles in space. She contributed to International Space Station experiments and earned degrees from Purdue and MIT. She died in Connection: Raised in Rockford during childhood. Profession: Rock bandNotable Achievements: Formed in Rockford in 1974, Cheap Trick achieved global fame with hits like 'Surrender,' 'I Want You to Want Me,' and 'Dream Police.' The band's original members were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2016. They've sold over 20 million records and remain a Rockford cultural Connection: Formed in Rockford. All members of the band except Robin Zander were born in the Forest City. Zander was born in Beloit and raised in Loves Park. Profession: Politician, educatorNotable Achievements: Born in Evanston, Illinois, in 1939, Martin taught in Rockford Public Schools and served on the Winnebago County Board. As a U.S. Representative (1981–91) and U.S. Secretary of Labor under George H.W. Bush, she was the first woman in a congressional leadership role as vice chairwoman of the House Republican Connection: Taught school and served in local government in Rockford. Profession: ActorNotable Achievements: Born in Rockford in 1974, Busker starred as a child actor in the 1987 film 'Big Shots' alongside Darius McCrary. At 13, he traveled to cities like New York and New Orleans to promote the movie, earning attention for his natural, unpolished charm. He had no prior acting experience beyond a school play before landing the role after an audition in Connection: Born and raised in Rockford. Profession: Actress, modelNotable Achievements: Born in Rockford in 1962, Ginger Lynn became a prominent actress in the 1980s adult film industry, later transitioning to mainstream roles in 'Young Guns II' (1990) and 'Metallica: The Videos' (1989).Rockford Connection: Born and raised in Rockford. Graduated from Rockford West High School. Profession: Actor, musicianNotable Achievements: Born in Rockford in 1968, Wallem is best known for playing Thor Lundgren in 'Nurse Jackie' (2009–15). A stage actor and cabaret performer, he's also part of the punk rock parody band Ambulance LTD. He graduated from Guilford High Connection: Born and raised in Rockford. Profession: Sports executiveNotable Achievements: Born in Rockford in 1951, Sund served as general manager for NBA teams like the Dallas Mavericks and Atlanta Hawks. He contributed to the Mavericks' early success and was named NBA Executive of the Year in 2004. He died in Connection: Born in Rockford. Profession: Comedian, actressNotable Achievements: Born in Rockford in 1974, Leggero is a stand-up comedian and actress known for roles in 'Another Period' (2015–18) and 'Chelsea Lately.' Her other work includes her comedy special 'Live at Bimbo's' (2015), and voice work in 'Ugly Americans.'Rockford Connection: Born in Rockford. Leggero graduated from Rockford East High School. Profession: Professional kickboxerNotable Achievements: Born in Rockford in 1962, Hefton, known as 'Bad Brad,' was a Professional Karate Association (PKA) World Super Heavyweight kickboxing champion and named ESPN's Face of Kickboxing in the 1980s. He won titles in multiple organizations (PKA, PKC, ISKA, BKC) and was inducted into the Illinois Martial Arts Hall of Fame in 2014 alongside trainer and fellow Rockford native John Monczak. A memorable fight saw Hefton battle Vitali Klitschko in 1993 with a broken arm for eight rounds. He also appeared the film 'Blackbelt' (1992).Rockford Connection: Born and raised in Rockford. Profession: AuthorNotable Achievements: Born in Rockford in 1965, Roby is a New York Times bestselling author of 28 books, including the 'Reverend Curtis Black' series, starting with 'Casting the First Stone' (2000). Blending faith and drama, Her novels have sold over 3 million copies, earning her multiple awards, including the 2013 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work. She was honored at Rockford's 2017 African-American History Month Connection: Born and raised in Rockford, graduated from Auburn High School. Profession: Pastor, authorNotable Achievements: Born in Rockford in 1957, Ortberg is a prominent evangelical pastor and author of bestselling books like 'The Life You've Always Wanted' (1997) and 'Soul Keeping' (2014). He served as senior pastor of Menlo Church in California and wa on staff at Willow Creek Community Church near Connection: Born in Rockford, attended Rockford schools. Profession: SportscasterNotable Achievements: Born in Wausau, Wisconsin, in 1980, Briscoe (née Manske) grew up in Roscoe. An ESPN anchor since 2008, she co-hosts 'SportsCenter' and covers NASCAR, earning recognition for her engaging style. She competed in the 1998 Miss Illinois Teen USA pageant representing Roscoe. Briscoe started working as a reporter at WREX in the late 1990s while she attended Northern Illinois Connection: Raised in Roscoe, attended Hononegah High School in Rockton. Profession: ActressNotable Achievements: Born in DeKalb, Illinois, in 1922, Hale grew up in Rockford and graduated from Rockford High School. Best known for playing Della Street in 'Perry Mason,' (1957–66), she won an Emmy in 1959 and earned two Golden Globe nominations. She also appeared in films like 'The Window' (1949) and 'Airport' (1970). Hale died in Connection: Raised in Rockford, graduated from Rockford High School. Profession: Professional football playerNotable Achievements: Born in Rockford in 1994, Lowry played defensive end for the Green Bay Packers from (2016-22), appearing in 96 games and recording 147 tackles. A standout at Boylan Catholic High School and Northwestern University, he won back-to-back state championships with Boylan. He currently plays for the Pittsburgh Connection: Born and raised in Rockford, graduated from Boylan Catholic High School. Profession: Professional football playerNotable Achievements: Born in Rockford in 1998, Robinson, a running back, set the NFL record in 2020 for most scrimmage yards by an undrafted rookie with the Jacksonville Jaguars. A star at Rockford Lutheran High School and Illinois State University, he set Illinois high school records for rushing yards and touchdowns. He has also played for the New York Jets and Green Bay Connection: Born and raised in Rockford, graduated from Rockford Lutheran High School. Profession: Composer, pianistNotable Achievements: Born in Rockford in 2001, Bear is a child prodigy pianist and composer who performed at Carnegie Hall at age 6. She received the 2008 ASCAP Morton Gould Young Composer Award and composed for Disney's 'Winnie the Pooh' (2011). Her albums, like 'Diversity' (2013), blend jazz and classical music. Bearand Abigail Barlow co-wrote and released an album inspired by the Netflix series 'Bridgerton', titled 'The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical,' which won the 2022 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Connection: Born and raised in Rockford. Profession: NASCAR Crew Chief Notable Achievements: Born in Rockford in 1971, Knaus guided Jimmie Johnson to seven NASCAR Cup Series championships, including five consecutive titles (2006–10). With 81 career wins as a crew chief, he's considered one of NASCAR's greatest minds. He serves as vice president of competition for Hendrick Motorsports and was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Connection: Born and raised in Rockford. Profession: Journalist, Fox News correspondentNotable Achievements: Born in Palatine, Illinois, in 1991, McAdams worked as a lead reporter and weekend anchor at WTVO/WQRF-TV in Rockford from January 2014 to 2015, covering sports and local news. A Fox News correspondent based in New York City since October 2021, she has reported several major news events like the Kyle Rittenhouse trial, the 2022 Ottawa trucker protests, and the 2024 UnitedHealthcare CEO assassination manhunt. She previously worked at WLS-TV in Chicago and WXIN in Indianapolis, earning the 2012 Illinois Student Silver Dome Award for Best Connection: Worked as a reporter and anchor at WTVO/WQRF-TV in Rockford from 2014 to 2015. Profession: Journalist, foreign policy expertNotable Achievements: Born in Rockford in 1970, Nauert served as U.S. State Department Spokesperson (2017–19) and Acting Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs (2018–19). A former Fox News anchor, she was nominated as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations in 2018 but withdrew. She joined the Hudson Institute as a senior fellow in 2019, focusing on U.S. foreign policy. Nauert holds an M.A. in Journalism from Columbia Connection: Born in Rockford, graduated from Keith Country Day School. Profession: Basketball coach, former playerNotable Achievements: Born in Rockford in 1955, Kent was a Parade Magazine All-American and IHSA All-State basketball player at Rockford West High School. He played college basketball at Oregon and coached at Oregon (1997–2010) and Washington State (2014–19), earning Pac-10 Coach of the Year honors five times. He was inducted into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in Connection: Born and raised in Rockford, graduated from Rockford West High School. Profession: Professional football player, coach Notable Achievements: Born in Rockford in 1977, Polk was a linebacker for the San Diego Chargers (2001–06) and Dallas Cowboys (2007–08). He was drafted in the fourth round out of Nebraska. He won a national championship with Nebraska in 1997 and later coached at Grossmont College and with NFL teams like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Chicago Bears. Polk is currently the assistant special teams coach for the Cowboys, his second stint as a coach with the Connection: Born and raised in Rockford, attended Guilford High School. Profession: Professional Football PlayerNotable Achievements: Born in Rockford in 1953, Latin played as a running back for the St. Louis Cardinals (1975–78) and briefly for the Los Angeles Rams (1978). A standout at Northern Illinois University, he rushed for 1,609 yards in his NFL career and was named to NIU's All-Century Team in 1999. Latin died on Feb. 19, Connection: Born in Arkansas and raised in Rockford. Latin graduated from Rockford East High School. Profession: JournalistNotable Achievements: Bair worked as a news anchor and TV reporter in Rockford, contributing to local news coverage. Rockford Connection: Worked at WREX-TV in Rockford from 1993 to 1994. Who did we miss? Let us know and we will add them to the list! Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
