Throughout 56 days, 90% of the scenes of Muhammad Diab’s « Asad » have been filmed. The remaining scenes will be filmed after Eid Al-Adha. Subsequently, the director will start the post-production stage which includes montage, mixing, soundtracking and others. Eventually, the film will be ready for screening locally, regionally, and internationally.
Producer Abu Taleb stressed that the work is being carried out in accordance with a meticulous plan to release the film in the best possible way, through providing all necessities; sets, costumes, and action training. He stated, « The production of ‘Asad’ is huge and requires considerable time for preparations and rehearsals. Basically, it takes us back to the period of 1800 and beyond. It is a historical period with special details; clothing, decorations, and accessories, which we aim to present cinematically in a precise and accurate way ».
Abu Taleb added, « We started preparations and previews for over a year. Set designer Ahmed Fayez worked with a huge team of engineers and workers to implement sets that are suitable for that historical period, in collaboration with director Muhammad Diab. Additionally, they chose the locations which perfectly match the events, reaching 15 locations in Cairo, its suburbs and multiple governorates. Some sets, like the Media Production City, took almost three months to be finished. Furthermore, preparations included garment processing and accessories for about 2000 people. Costume designer Reem El-Adl and her team exerted indescribable efforts over the course of 6 months, during which costumes were prepared for multiple scenes ».
Moreover, he mentioned the intensive preparations for action scenes, which were rehearsed in different periods. He also noted that the film includes a huge number of action scenes designed in an unprecedented style in Arab cinema, in collaboration with a professional team led by world-renowned battle designer Kaloyan Vodenicharov, who trained actors for these scenes. The film includes about 70 actors, along with 12 stars and special guests from Egypt, Palestine, Lebanon, and Sudan. There are also 50 actors taking part in the events, some of whom perform only a single scene within the primary plot.
Concerning the film’s release date, Abu Taleb declared, « Up to now, we cannot set a specific date for the film’s screening. All stages will be completed first. Indeed, each stage is of great importance and will be implemented in an accurate way in special locations to present the best image, sound, soundtrack, and graphics, so that it would be a unique cinematic experience for audiences. Thus, the decision will be made after completing all the film’s stages ». Regarding the film’s story, the producer said, « The events of the film take place in a social and romantic framework full of suspense and action. It highlights racial discrimination and unfair treatment of individuals in society, during a period in which people suffered from these issues and their results. ‘Asad’ presents a new story that has never been presented on screen before, characterized by thrill and creativity ».
Most notably, « Asad » is directed by Muhammad Diab, written by Sherine Diab, Muhammad Diab and Khaled Diab. It is filmed by Ahmad Bishary, and edited by Ahmed Hafez. The set design is by Ahmad Fayez, costume design is by Reem El-Adl and soundtrack is by Hisham Nazih. Besides, the film is produced by Moussa Abu Taleb’s Good Fellas Media Production, in collaboration with Big Time Fund and Emad Sayed Ali’s Scoop Egypt Production. The film stars Mohamed Ramadan, Lebanese Razane Jammal, Ali Kassem, Maged El-Kidwani, Sudanese Eslam Mubarak, Ahmed Dash, and Palestinian Kamel El-Basha.
