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ASWAR EL AMAR (MOON WALL) is among the titles currently creating the
strongest buzz in the Egyptian film community – not only because director
Tarek Alarian is one of the most renowned action movie specialists, but also
because the show is filmed on the ARRIFLEX D-21 in ARRIRAW mode.
Alarian was very keen to use the D-21 for his
new action movie and strongly believed in
the outstanding quality and creative freedom
an ARRIRAW workflow would provide. CHP
Productions (with Alarian acting as its CEO)
consequently decided to buy a D-21 and to
implement the entire ARRIRAW workflow. But
very few could have foreseen the enthusiasm
this new technology would generate in Egypt,
or the fact that it would drastically change
the industry. Egyptian cinema has a long and
proud history, and greatly influences the
whole Arab world. Tarek Alarian has once
again contributed to this history – not only
Omar Abou-Zeid
CPH Executive Producer
“Working with the ARRIFLEX D-21 was an excellent
experience and the smoothest introduction you
could get to digital cinema. We had to adapt
our workflow, but with the support of the ARRI
Digital Workflow Solutions team, the whole
system offers maximum freedom. My clients soon
started to be convinced, as they realized that this
truly is the future, especially due to the unique
image quality and the very wide dynamic range
offered by the D-21.”
Weblink: www.tarekalarian.com
MOON WALL
Director Tarek Alarian shooting with the D-21 in ARRIRAW
with a new film project but also by developing
new industry standards. Antonio Cazzaniga
of ARRI Italia spoke with the groundbreaking
director.
Antonio Cazzaniga: How are you feeling
after the first weeks of production?
Tarek Alarian: I’m really enjoying the
experience of working with the D-21 on my
current feature, especially as I like the idea
of shooting everything I need without worrying
about film stock – this can be essential
when you are aiming to make a high class,
action-based movie.
…was born in Kuwait in 1963. He graduated in
cinema and photography from the University of
Southern Illinois, where he also gained his bachelor’s
degree in arts and communication. In 1986
he began a fast-paced career as an executive
producer in Greece, moving on to Egypt in 1989
as he prepared his first feature film, THE EMPEROR.
This turned out to be a massive success and was
screened in Egyptian cinemas for a record-breaking
26 weeks.
EL PASHA followed on from that success and again
starred Ahmed Zaki, who had established himself
as one of the top stars of Arab cinema after THE
EMPEROR. Then Tarek Alarian took a break from
cinema, beginning a successful career in music
videos and commercials during which he worked
with leading singers and artists of the Arab world.
In 1999 he founded his first feature film production
company and is now partner and CEO of CPH
Productions, which specializes in music videos,
TV commercials, TV programs and feature film
C a m e r a 31
AC: It sounds like you’ve taken an uncompromising
approach to the final image
quality?
TA: The D-21 delivers outstanding images
with a unique and truly cinematic look and
feel. In addition to working much faster then
with a 35mm film camera, I am able to get
exactly what I have envisioned.
AC: So you are fully satisfied with your
camera purchase?
TA: Actually not really… I need a second
D-21 as soon as possible! I like to work in
this style and I am planning to order another
camera soon.
productions. The company also has a rental
department with a comprehensive inventory that
now includes an ARRIFLEX D-21.
With his third film, SNAKES AND LADDERS (2001),
Alarian made a strong return to cinema. This was
not only a commercial success, but also highly
praised by critics.
The 2004 production of T I TO became one of the
greatest challenges of his career, as it was one
of the highest budget productions in Egypt and
among the best action movies in Egyptian movie
history.