Latest news with #NewPictures
Egypt Today
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Egypt Today
Qeset El Khareef to Make World Premiere at Khouribga African Film Festival
The Khouribga African Film Festival in Morocco has officially selected the Egyptian film Qeset El Khareef (Autumn Story) for its world premiere, representing Egypt at the festival's 25th edition, running from June 21 to 28. One of Africa's longest-running festivals, Khouribga first launched in 1977 and is considered the continent's third most prominent, following Tunisia's Carthage Film Days and Burkina Faso's FESPACO. Directed and written by Karim Makram, Qeset El Khareef marks his feature-length debut following several acclaimed shorts and documentaries. The film explores themes of alienation and emotional isolation through a group of characters from different social backgrounds. Starring Youssef Othman, Buthaina Hagar, Ashraf Mahdy, and a large ensemble cast, the film is a truly independent effort that took five years to complete due to the challenges of financing local indie productions. With little access to funding, the filmmakers relied on personal contributions, reduced fees, and collaborative passion to bring the project to life. The film's crew includes costume designer Afnan Zakaria Ghazala, cinematographer Mahmoud Lotfy, production designer Yasser El-Husseiny, colorist Atteya Amin, sound engineer Mohab Ezz, sound designer Mohamed Salah, music composer Youssef Sadeq, editor Dalia Atta, and producers Rafiq Anton, Karim Makram, and Eman Samir Fadel (Arrow Film Productions), with executive production by Sherif Abou Hemila (New Pictures). Qeset El Khareef is set to be a strong voice for Egypt in one of Africa's key cinematic showcases.
The Independent
20-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Upcoming BBC Crongton show will become ‘loving tribute' to author Alex Wheatle
The upcoming BBC show Crongton will become a 'loving tribute' to author Alex Wheatle following his death at the age of 62. The author, who was known as the 'Brixton Bard', was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2023, and campaigned for awareness of the condition. He wrote a string of books about life on London's streets for young black men including the Crongton series, about children growing up on a council estate and facing gang wars and other struggles. He died on Sunday, March 16, his family said, – more than a week before the first series of Crongton is due to air on the BBC on Monday. Patricia Hidalgo, director of BBC children's and education, said with the 'blessing' of Wheatle's family they will air the show as a 'celebration of Alex's incredible life and powerful stories that mean so much to so many young people'. She also said: 'We feel incredibly privileged to have worked with Alex on the adaptation of his award-winning Crongton Knights books, whose young characters leap off the page in their vibrant portrayals of the highs and lows of growing up in modern Britain.' The show's production company New Pictures said: 'Alex's warmth, generosity and humour shone out through his writing, and his work will continue to touch so many lives. 'We are so honoured to have played a part in bringing the world of Alex's Crongton books to life and the show remains a loving tribute to him.' Born on January 3 1963, Wheatle grew up in children's homes and began by writing lyrics then progressed to poetry, short stories and novels. He was also known for being part of the 1981 Brixton riot – which saw him being sent to prison, and inspired Sir Steve McQueen to direct the film Alex Wheatle about the writer's life for the anthology series Small Axe. The actor who played him, Sheyi Cole, wrote in an Instagram story that he was 'indebted' to Wheatle, and his 'story became my story'. Wheatle would later contribute to the BBC programme Battle For Brixton, and put out the fiction book East Of Acre Lane about the riot. His first novel, Brixton Rock, about a troubled London teenager getting to grips with finding his family, was published in 1999. His family posted on his Instagram, saying: 'Alex's family would like to thank you all for your support over the years in his work and we ask that you respect our privacy during this difficult time.' Author Dorothy Koomson, known for the novel and TV drama The Ice Cream Girls, wrote on Instagram that she was 'heartbroken'. She added: 'He was a wonderful person and writer. A brilliant and empathetic human being. He leaves an incredible legacy. Lots of love to those who were closest to him. Rest in peace and glory, Alex.' Fellow Prostate Cancer UK supporter and actor Colin McFarlane said he was 'shocked and saddened', and said that he 'talked about the desperate need for a national screening programme' with Wheatle. 'Prostate cancer is curable if it is diagnosed earlier, and one day I hope we can stop losing brilliant men like Alex to this disease,' he added. Wheatle joined Prostate Cancer UK in calling for the Government to overhaul NHS guidelines around prostate cancer, to lead to more diagnosis. Keith Morgan, associate director of Black Health Equity at Prostate Cancer UK, said he was 'proud to have worked with him later in life as he used his platform, and his own shocking late-stage diagnosis, to raise vital awareness of prostate cancer and campaign for change'. He added that one in four 'black men will get prostate cancer, double the risk of other men', and said that men like Wheatle 'are dying twice as much from a cancer that is treatable if caught early'. When he received his honour in 2008 for services to literature, Wheatle said: 'I know some people might say the MBE's got 'empire' on it, but there is no British empire any more. 'But more importantly, it shows young kids coming up that they can achieve and you can be successful.' On Instagram, publisher Hachette Children's Group said they were 'incredibly saddened', and added that he 'leaves behind a legacy of rich and powerful' stories.
