Mohamed Diab (Arabic: محمد دياب, Egyptian Arabic pronunciation: [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.
Mohamed Diab | |
|---|---|
| محمد دياب | |
 | |
| Born | 1978 (age 45–46)[1] Ismailia, Egypt |
| Nationality | Egyptian |
| Education | New York Film Academy |
| Occupation(s) | Screenwriter, director |
| Notable work | Moon Knight |
Career
editCairo 678
editCairo 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)
editEshtebak (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
editIn 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.[6][7]
Filmography
editFilm
| Year | Title | Director | Writer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Real Dreams | No | Yes |
| The Island | No | Yes | |
| 2009 | The Replacement | No | Yes |
| Congratulations | No | Yes | |
| 2010 | Cairo 678 | Yes | Yes |
| Décor | No | Yes | |
| 2014 | The Island 2 | No | Yes |
| 2016 | Clash | Yes | Yes |
| 2021 | Amira | Yes | Yes |
Television
| Year | Title | Director | Executive Producer |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Moon Knight | Yes | Yes | Director (4 episodes); Executive producer (6 episodes); Role: Ammit's Follower (Uncredited cameo) |
Awards
editCairo 678 (Les Femmes du Bus 678)
edit| Festival | Awards |
|---|---|
| Chicago International Film Festival | Silver Hugo Best Film
Silver Hugo Best Actor |
| Dubai International Film Festival | Best Actor
Best Actress |
| Asia Pacific Screen Awards | Jury Grand Prize
High Commendation |
| Sydney Film Festival | Special Mention |
| Montpellier Mediterranean Film Festival | Prix Du Public
Prix Jeune Public |
| Taormina Film Festival | Youth Choice Award |
| Heartland Film Festival | Grand Prize |
| Khouribga African Film Festival | Best Film
Best Supporting Actress |
| Third Eye Asian Film Festival | Best Film |
| Mediterranean Film Festival | Best Film |
| Salé Women's Film Festival | Special Mention |
| African Film Festival of Cordoba | Audience Choice Award |
| Cologne African Film Festival | Audience Choice Award |
| Egyptian Oscars | Best New Director |
| Catholic Egyptian Film Festival | Jury Prize |
| Arabian Sights Film Festival | Audience Choice Award |
In 2011, Christiane Amanpour presented Mohamed Diab with a Webby Award.[8]
References
edit- ^ "6 معلومات عن محمد دياب العضو المصرى بلجنة تحكيم "Un Certain Regard"". Youm7. Retrieved 15 May 2017.
- ^ AlloCine. "Les Femmes du Bus 678". AlloCiné. Retrieved 1 April 2016.
- ^ "Bon début pour les femmes du bus 678". Evene.fr. Retrieved 1 April 2016.
- ^ "The 2016 Official Selection". Festival de Cannes. Retrieved 14 April 2016.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie; Kroll, Justin (27 October 2020). "'Moon Knight': Mohamed Diab To Direct Marvel's Disney+ Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
- ^ "How 'Moon Knight' Harnessed the Power of Egypt's Top Creatives — and Even Flew Over a Taxi Driver — to Push for Authenticity and "Avoid the Orientalist Look"", hollywoodreporter.com, 6 April 2022
- ^ "Egyptians Take Marvel's Latest 'Moon Knight' to New Heights: Review", egyptianstreets.com, April 2022
- ^ "Mohamed Diab | The Webby Awards". webbyawards.com. Retrieved 1 April 2016.