Video: Turki al-Sheikh's ‘The Seven Dogs' cancellation is April Fool's prank
Turki al-Sheikh, the head of the General Entertainment Authority in Saudi Arabia, stirred up controversy on Tuesday after announcing the cancellation of the film 'The Seven Dogs,' starring Karim Abdel Aziz and Ahmed Ezz, following a horrific accident involving the crew during filming.
Al-Sheikh posted photos of actor Ahmed Ezz during the filming of a large explosion scene on his official Facebook account, writing, 'Due to circumstances beyond our control, after the director and two members of the filming crew were injured, the project will be canceled with compensation for the producer, actors, and filming crew.'
Al-Sheikh continued in another post, writing, 'Photos from the accident that injured the director and filming crew, and thank God for the safety of the star Ahmed Ezz.'
He added, 'The film will be canceled, and the producer, actors, and crew will be compensated with an additional 25 percent due to their significant effort over the past months. Those responsible for negligence and shortcomings in safety conditions will be held accountable.'
Returning to his official Facebook account, Turki Al-Sheikh wrote, 'Hope we never come around with bad news,' indicating that the uproar he caused regarding the accident was an April Fool's prank for 2025.
'The Seven Dogs' stars Karim Abdel Aziz, Ahmed Ezz, Hana El Zahed, Tara Emad, Sayed Ragab, and a plethora of Egyptian and Arab actors. The film also features appearances by international stars as guest of honor.
The story is by Turki Al-Sheikh and the Big Time team, with the screenplay and dialogue by Mohamed El Dabbah, and directed by the internationally acclaimed duo Adel and Belal, whose last project was 'Bad Boys 3.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CairoScene
2 hours ago
- CairoScene
EXCLUSIVE BTS: Saudi-Egyptian Series 'Jad Jadid' Begins Production
The project is backed by the Saudi Cultural Fund and produced by Red Curtains Production. A new cross-border collaboration is taking shape as JAD JADID begins production. The Saudi-Egyptian series brings together talent from both countries in a narrative that explores themes of memory, identity and personal restoration. The project is backed by the Saudi Cultural Fund, produced by Red Curtains Production, and led by director Salma El Kashef. At its heart is Youssef, a young man who wakes from a two-year coma into a life he no longer recognises, haunted by guilt, fragmented by lost memories, and searching for identity in a world that has moved on without him. Guiding him is his grandmother, played by the iconic Sawsan Badr. Alongside her, a cast of characters, friends, strangers, and chosen family navigate their own internal battles, threading personal and collective traumas into a multilayered story. The series features a dynamic cast from across the region, including Amawri, Adwa Bader, May Elghety, and Ali El Sabaa. It also introduces newcomer Khaled Ali in his first on-screen role, alongside veteran performers Mohsen Mohieddin, Amr Gamal, and Mohamed Alfie. JAD JADID is based on a concept by Amawri and written by Reem Al Kammash. The creative team includes executive producers Amira Sherif and Mohamed Sabry Abaza, director of photography Karim Ashraf, set designer Merit Amer and stylist Amna Al Shandaweely. Kino Films is handling the series' executive production, with the release date yet to be announced.
Egypt Today
5 hours ago
- Egypt Today
Luxor African Film Festival to Celebrate the Centennial of Youssef Chahine in Landmark 15th Edition
The Luxor African Film Festival (LAFF) is gearing up for a spectacular 15th edition, set to take place in the last week of March 2026 under the powerful theme: 'Youssef Chahine… An Egyptian Tale.' This special edition honors the centennial of iconic Egyptian filmmaker Youssef Chahine (1926–2026), whose groundbreaking work left an indelible mark on Arab and global cinema. Festival President and screenwriter Sayed Fouad revealed that this tribute will include a bilingual (Arabic-French) documentary book chronicling Chahine's cinematic journey and a captivating video art exhibition showcasing rare photographs and vintage posters. Four of his most celebrated, newly restored films—revived by Misr International Films—will take center stage in Luxor and across African countries throughout 2026. In parallel, the festival will honor key collaborators from Chahine's filmography, making this centennial celebration a continent-wide homage to his enduring legacy. Festival Director Azza Elhosseiny also announced a reimagined 'Special Focus' program spotlighting South African cinema, with four landmark films and a reissue of a pivotal book tracing the nation's cinematic evolution. This year's edition will also pay heartfelt tribute to the late Malian auteur Souleymane Cissé (1940–2025), a towering figure in African cinema and a longtime friend of LAFF. A dedicated bulletin and retrospective will honor his remarkable contributions to the art form, including his award-winning works that once graced Cannes and other international festivals. Since its inception in 2011, LAFF has been a vibrant bridge between Egypt and the rest of Africa, championing the continent's rich cinematic heritage through curated screenings, cross-border programs, and institutional collaborations. Organized by the Independent Artists Youth Foundation, with actor Mahmoud Hemida as honorary president and producer-distributor Gaby Khoury heading the high committee, the festival is backed by Egypt's Ministries of Culture, Tourism & Antiquities, Foreign Affairs, and Youth & Sports. Key partners include the National Bank of Egypt, Egyptian Tourism Promotion Authority, Kemet for Peace and Knowledge, Afreximbank, the Syndicate of Cinematic Professions, and Luxor Governorate.
Egypt Today
5 hours ago
- Egypt Today
Salma Abu Deif, Jessica Hossam El-Din Join the Star-Studded Cast of Ezma
Rising stars Salma Abu Deif and Jessica Hossam El-Din have officially joined the cast of Ezma, a highly anticipated film led by actor Ahmed Dawood and marking the directorial debut of celebrated writer Mohamed Sadek. Known for his bestselling novels and successful screenplays, Sadek steps behind the camera for the first time with this cinematic adaptation. Based on his hit 2020 novel Ezma—a long-time chart-topper in Egypt and across the Arab world—the story follows 36-year-old Eissa, whose life takes a dramatic turn after receiving a mysterious birthday gift from an unexpected sender. The twist forces him to reexamine every detail of his journey. Mohamed Sadek continues his unique streak of literary and cinematic success, with Ezma becoming the fourth of his novels to be adapted for the screen. This new project brings together Ahmed Dawood and Ahmed Dash in a gripping tale that blurs the line between fate and choice, with Sadek writing and directing the film himself.
