February 23, 2014

On Sunday Feb. 23, MPAC’s Hollywood Bureau, in partnership with the Levantine Cultural Center, the Arab Film Festival and the Network of Arab American Professionals Los Angeles, invite you to attend a special screening of the Academy Award-nominated film “Omar.” The award-winning film opened Feb. 21 in more than 40 cities nationwide.

SEE: “Omar” Trailer (YouTube.com)

ALSO SEE: List of additional showtimes (AdoptFilms.com)

The special screening will be held at the Laemmle Royal Theater in Los Angeles, and will be followed by a Q&A with director Hany Abu-Assad, producer and actor Waleed Zuaiter (Agent Rami) and actress Leem Lubany (Nadja).

“'Omar' is a powerful film that shines a light on the gripping circumstances Palestinians face in the Occupied Territories,” said Suhad Obeidi, the Head of MPAC’s Hollywood Bureau. "This is one of only a handful of films to guide viewers behind the wall and show the life-altering decisions so many people are forced to make everyday.”

Directed by two-time Oscar nominee, Golden Globe-winner and MPAC Media Award honoree for the movie “Paradise Now,” Abu-Assad’s latest film is a tense, gripping thriller about betrayal in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

“Omar” is a groundbreaking film -- it is the first Palestinian feature film to be almost entirely financed by Palestinians and whose major cast and crew are of Palestinian origin.  It is also the second-ever film from Palestine nominated for an Oscar. In addition to being hailed as a masterpiece, “Omar” wowed audiences at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival, winning the coveted Jury Prize.

Screening of Oscar-Nominated “Omar”
Plus Q&A with Cast and Crew

WHEN: Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014 at 4:30 p.m.

WHERE: Laemmle Royal Theater
11523 Santa Monica Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90025

SPEAKERS: Hany Abu-Assad, director 
Leem Lubany, actress
Waleed Zuaiter, producer and actor

MPAC’s Hollywood Bureau serves as a bridge between the American Muslim community and the entertainment industry. The Bureau advances accurate and humanizing portrayals in the entertainment industry by serving as a resource on Islam for the Hollywood community. The Bureau also nurtures creative talent and connected Muslim filmmakers, writers and actors with Hollywood professionals.