Mohamed Diab Explained

Mohamed Diab
Native Name:محمد دياب
Birth Date:[1]
Birth Place:Ismailia, Egypt
Nationality:Egyptian
Education:New York Film Academy
Occupation:Screenwriter, director
Notable Works:Moon Knight

Mohamed Diab (Arabic: محمد دياب, pronounced as /mæˈħ.amæd dˤiæb/, born 1978) is an Egyptian screenwriter and director whose work often centers on pressing issues concerning Egyptian society. He is known for his directorial debut film Cairo 678 (Les Femmes du bus 678),[2] which was released a month before the Egyptian revolution, and for directing Disney's Marvel series Moon Knight.

Career

Cairo 678

Cairo 678 is Diab's directorial debut. The film follows the intertwining stories of a vigilante trio of women who take on the sexual harassment epidemic in Cairo. The film was released in December 2010 and is considered the most award-winning contemporary Egyptian film. The film was distributed internationally and fared well notably in France, where it sold 265,000 tickets and received ÉcranTotal's "coup de foudre du public" audience recognition award.[3]

Eshtebak (Clash)

Eshtebak (Clash) was supposed to be a film about the rise of the Egyptian revolution but eventually became a film that captures the fall of the revolution. The entire film is shot from within the confines of a police riot truck. The film is a recipient of grants and funding from the San Francisco Film Society, CNC l'aide au Cinémas du Monde and ARTE France. The film was an official selection for the 2016 Cannes Film Festival, Un Certain Regard category.[4]

Moon Knight

In October 2020 Diab was hired to direct episodes of Disney+ streaming series Moon Knight, set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.[5] Diab insisted on bringing Egyptian authenticity to the film's settings even though he was unable to film there. Attention to the smallest details was important to him, such as adding purple hues and the vibrant atmosphere of the Nile River at night. Together with his wife, Sarah Goher, they selected Egyptian music genre songs such as Bahlam Maak, El Melouk, and Batwanes Beek, which are all composed by Egyptian songwriters to convey the true vibe of the country.

Filmography

Film

YearTitleDirectorWriter
2007Real Dreams
The Island
2009The Replacement
Congratulations
2010Cario 678
Décor
2014The Island 2
2016Clash
2021Amira

Television

Awards

Cairo 678 (Les Femmes du Bus 678)

FestivalAwards
Chicago International Film FestivalSilver Hugo Best FilmSilver Hugo Best Actor
Dubai International Film FestivalBest ActorBest Actress
Asia Pacific Screen AwardsJury Grand PrizeHigh Commendation
Sydney Film FestivalSpecial Mention
Montpellier Mediterranean Film FestivalPrix Du PublicPrix Jeune Public
Taormina Film FestivalYouth Choice Award
Heartland Film FestivalGrand Prize
Khouribga African Film FestivalBest FilmBest Supporting Actress
Third Eye Asian Film FestivalBest Film
Mediterranean Film FestivalBest Film
Salé Women's Film FestivalSpecial Mention
African Film Festival of CordobaAudience Choice Award
Cologne African Film FestivalAudience Choice Award
Egyptian OscarsBest New Director
Catholic Egyptian Film FestivalJury Prize
Arabian Sights Film FestivalAudience Choice Award
In 2011, Christiane Amanpour presented Mohamed Diab with a Webby Award.[6]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 6 معلومات عن محمد دياب العضو المصرى بلجنة تحكيم "Un Certain Regard" . Youm7. 15 May 2017.
  2. Web site: Les Femmes du Bus 678. AlloCine. AlloCiné. 1 April 2016.
  3. Web site: Bon début pour les femmes du bus 678. Evene.fr. 1 April 2016.
  4. Web site: The 2016 Official Selection. Festival de Cannes. 14 April 2016.
  5. Web site: 'Moon Knight': Mohamed Diab To Direct Marvel's Disney+ Series. Andreeva. Nellie. Kroll. Justin. 27 October 2020. Deadline Hollywood. 27 October 2020.
  6. Web site: Mohamed Diab The Webby Awards. webbyawards.com. 1 April 2016.