"Captain Abu Raed" goes to Sundance

It's official. Captain Abu Raed has been selected for the World Cinema Competition at the Sundance Film Festival. The selection has been made from over 1,600 entries in this category this year. HERE'S THE ANNOUNCEMENT.

I've been biting my tongue holding back from making the announcement since we were notified last week. So our US premier will be in January, and the World premier will be at the Dubai Film Festival, in the Muhr Award competition on December 11th and 12th.

We made it into Sundance!!! I'm still pinching myself, but at the same time racing against the clock with our post-production team here in LA, led by Clark Graff, to do the final 35mm film-out before I head to Jordan in a few days.

It's been a crazy adventure with so many people influencing this film with their hearts and minds. Most recently it's been with our colorist, who color-timed every frame of the film to bring out the beautiful colors that Ray captured with his cinematography. Laith did a wonderful job editing the film with many sleepless nights. Austin's music is top notch. The production value perfectly compliments the story, and most importantly, we have superb performances from our amazing cast led by Nadim Sawalha as Abu Raed. And finally, people around the world will see Amman on the big screen. Finally!!!

I feel so blessed to have worked with so many passionate people to bring this film to life.

This is our last week and I can't wait to take a break and watch the final film with a fresh live audience. I've lived inside this world for two and a half years now, and have looked at these images and performances well over a thousand times each. And I still love the film.

We will be releasing Captain Abu Raed across theaters in Amman just a week after its Sundance debut. The release date we are targeting is February 6th. Mark your calendars. Captain Abu Raed will play at Zara, Grand, and Galleria.

If you are eager to see it in advance and happen to be in Dubai on Dec 11 or 12, then get your ticket through the Dubai Film Festival's web site as soon as possible.

See you at the movies!
Amin

A new web site with an official trailer are coming up online in just a few days.

Video of Captain Abu Raed Scoring Session

Well, here's a SNEAK PEAK at the SCORING SESSION for everyone to get a glimpse of this beautiful universal score that Austin Wintory, my brilliant collaborator and composer, has written for Captain Abu Raed.

As I mentioned last time, it's been a long dream coming to hear this kind of music written for one of my films. It's just the beginning of a long road ahead for Austin and I making movies together.

This here is the music for the storytelling montage.

Enjoy!

Outrageous Dolphin Massacres in Japan

I am deeply disturbed by what's been going on in Japan. Thousands of innocent dolphins, brutally captured and killed by hunters while listening to each other suffering!!!

We need to put pressure on the Japanese government to stop this arrogant exploitation of life. I find this video very disturbing and painful to watch. It's very sad that humans have this arrogance over helpless animals. IT IS OUTRAGEOUS!!!

Watch THIS VIDEO and help put pressure on Japan by sending a message.

CLICK HERE to sign this petition.

If you care, it only takes you a second to send a message. Humans can be so cruel and disrespectful to life.