Mohammed Assaf fans treated to performance and free screening after winds cancel showing

The Idol is a biopic of the Palestinian pop sensation

Mohammed Assif sings in Dubai on Friday night after high winds forced the postponement of a film about his life. Sarah Dea / The National

DUBAI // A free red carpet gala screening of Hany Abu Assad's The Idol is to be held on Sunday night after crowds waiting to see the film at The Beach outdoor cinema were left disappointed when high winds rendered the screen unusable on Friday night.

The Dubai International Film Festival screening at 9.30pm will be attended by director Assad, the movie’s main cast including Tawfeek Barhom and Mohammed Assaf, whose journey from Palestinian refugee to pop star inspired the film.

Assaf saved the day after the screening cancellation when he performed a planned set of his songs for fans, ensuring the night was not a total washout for the hundreds gathered.

He was originally scheduled to perform at 9.30pm after the film, but moved his performance forward so that the crowd did not go home entirely disappointed. Some of them had been at the beach since 5.30pm, when the Samsung Short Film Competition Screenings, which were also cancelled, were to have taken place.

Assaf took to the stage at 8.20pm, telling the audience in Arabic: “Thank you for your time. I’ve just heard that the screen isn’t working and I apologise that we won’t be able to show the film.”

He then launched into a selection of five of his hits that soon had the chilly crowd on their feet and singing along.

Assad and the movie’s cast took to the stage ahead of Assaf’s set to apologise for the cancelled screening, with the director promising that an alternative venue would be found.

“I’m more excited to screen the film here than anywhere else in the world,” he said. “To screen it to Palestinians and Arabs and people who really understand what it is to live under extreme circumstances. We’ve had great reviews in Toronto and all around the world, but this is what I really care about.”

Dubai Film Market chief Samr Al Marzouqi made the free screening announcement following Assaf’s set.

Tickets, as well as exact times, are available at www.filmfest.ae using the code WeLoveIdol.