‘Sheikh Jackson’ to screen for first time in Egypt

CAIRO - 17 September 2017: “Sheikh Jackson” movie will screen in Port Said Cultural Center Cinema on September 23 for one week.

Port Said will be the first Egyptian governorate that will witness the first commercial screening for “Sheikh Jackson.”

Egypt has selected Amr Salama’s “Sheikh Jackson” as its candidate for consideration at the upcoming edition of the Oscars set to take place in February 2018. The movie will open in all Egyptian cinemas in October.


“Sheikh Jackson” will screen in the 61st London Film Festival, which will kick off on October 4. “Sheikh Jackson” will also be the opening movie for El-Gouna Film Festival in its first edition, set to take place from September 22-29.


Speaking about the film, El-Gouna Festival director Intishal al-Tamimmi says, “We are proud that this special movie will be introduced in the opening ceremony because it will attract many movie producers, not only Arabs, but also foreigners who are interested in these kinds of movies.”


The movie’s director, Amr Salama, said, “The story of the movie is personal and deep, as I am narrating a very private story.”


“Sheikh Jackson” is a controversial movie starring Ahmed al-Fishawy, set around the death of music icon Michael Jackson. The plotline revolves around a student who loves Michael Jackson's music and imitates the pop star’s performances. His strong relationship with a Salafi reflects the contradictions in his life. Upon Jackson’s death, when the student has grown older to become an Imam, he goes on an inner Sufi quest to seek answers to his existential questions.


The film poster, released by the production company, depicts the protagonist, played by Fishawy, dressed as a Salafi sheikh and posing in a Jackson dance move, wearing Jackson’s signature hat.