English summary

The much-praised feel-good film The Idol is based on the life of Mohammed Assaf, who grew up in one of the overpopulated refugee camps in Gaza. Until 2013 no one had heard of him. Afterwards he rose to international prominence in spectacular fashion.

They spend the whole day running, Mohammad, his sister Nour and their friends. They want to earn money to buy instruments, make music and start a band. But in Gaza, plagued by the war, a career in music is a virtual impossibility. “We are going to make it and change the world!” Again and again, Nour has her little brother Mohammad repeat this motto. The boy has a beautiful voice but he still lacks his sister’s self-confidence. “Who needs a singer from the Gaza Strip?” As becomes evident in 2013, millions of people. When he is aged 25, Assaf hears about the pan-Arab talent show ‘Arab Idol’ in neighbouring Egypt. He wants to compete and embarks on the dangerous journey from Gaza; without a passport, crossing the border in secret and without even an invitation to audition…