Tag Archives: Roger Allers

GKIDS to Release Hayek’s “Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet” in August

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Salma Hayek’s latest personal project is headed to theaters in August…

GKIDS has announced plans to release Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet on August 7 in Los Angeles and New York before expanding it nationwide the following week.

Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet

The animated film, adapted from Kahlil Gibran‘s book The Prophet, was spearheaded by Hayek and features a narrative story written and directed by Roger Allers (The Lion King), with “chapters” based on Gibran’s poems designed and directed by animation directors including Tomm Moore, Joan Gratz, Bill Plympton, Nina Paley, Joann Sfar, Paul and Gaetan Brizzi, Michal Socha and Mohammed Harib.

Hayek, Liam Neeson, Quvenzhané Wallis, John Krasinski, Frank Langella and Alfred Molina make up the voice cast.

The Prophet is a book of 26 prose poetry essays written in English by the Lebanese artist, philosopher and writer. It was originally published in 1923 by Alfred A. Knopf. It is Gibran’s best-known work. The Prophet has been translated into over 40 different languages and has never been out of print.

Hayek’s “The Prophet” to Have Its Middle East Premiere at the Ajyal Film Festival

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Salma Hayek is bringing her latest behind-the-scenes project to the Middle East.

The Doha Film Institute has revealed its lineup for the 2nd annual Ajyal Film Festival. The fest, which takes place December 1-6, will host 90 films from 43 countries including the Middle East premiere of Khalil Gibran’s The Prophet, produced by the 48-year-old Mexican actress and directed by Roger Allers.

Salma Hayek

The animated film, based on the Lebanese writer’s iconic long-form meditative poem, features the voices of Liam Neeson, John Krasinski and Hayek.  DFI co-financed and co-produced the film, which will close the festival. Hayek will attend the premiere.

Festival director and acting DFI chief exec Fatma Al-Remaihi has also placed a firm emphasis on local filmmaking talent with a Made In Qatar section that boasts 20 short films by Qatari filmmakers.

“This year, we were overwhelmed by the number of submissions by professionals and aspiring filmmakers. We are also delighted that we have been able to support their ambitions through our filmmaking challenges and look forward to sharing the results of these initiatives through the Made in Qatar programs,” said Al-Remaihi.

“The thematic diversity and quality of projects in the Made in Qatar section is a testament to the growth and vibrancy within the creative community of our nation.”

Also confirmed to attend is Jordanian director Naji Abu Nowar to present Theeb, which also received financing from DFI.  The film, a coming-of-age story of a Bedouin boy who embarks on a perilous journey across the desert as the Ottoman Empire crumbles, has already won the Orrizonti Award for Best Director at the Venice Film Festival this year; as well as best Arab Film and the FIPRESCI Prize for best narrative feature at the recent Abu Dhabi Film Festival.

Hayek to Bring “The Prophet” to the Big Screen

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Salma Hayek isn’t exactly a prophet… But she is a successful film and television producer… And, now she’s set her sights on the nearly 90-year-old defining work of the most widely read poet in history.

The 45-year-old Mexican actress has partnered with the Doha Film Institute and Participant Media to adapt Lebanese artist, philosopher and writer Khalil Gibran’s classic novel The Prophet into an animated film.

Salma Hayek

Translated into well over 40 languages, the book of 26 poetic essays is divided into chapters dealing with the human themes of love, marriage, children, joy and sorrow, crime and punishment, freedom, friendship, good and evil, prayer, religion and death – amongst others.

“The Prophet has been an incredible source of wisdom and inspiration for millions of people all over the world,” said Hayek. “Being of Lebanese descent, I’m particularly proud to be part of a project that will present this masterpiece to new generations, in a way never seen before.”

Each of the classic tome’s chapters will be directed by a different award-winning filmmaker, with Oscar-nominated Lion King director Roger Allers coordinating the entire process.

Pre-production will begin later this month with Hayek producing, alongside Clark Peterson and Ron Senkowski.  

“It’s a passion project for everyone involved, led by Salma’s determination to create a truly collaborative artistic approach to this universally loved novel,” said the Doha Film Institutes executive director Amanda Palmer