Russian film on disabled tops festival39 MONDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2014

A handout picture released by the Press office of the Middle East Broadcasting Center (MBC) on December 14, 2014, shows 21-year-old Syrian contest Hazem Sherif (second right) awaiting the declaration of the winner in this year’s “” singing contest in . — AP/AFP photos Syrian wins Arab song contest, keeps clear of politics

Syrian from war-torn Aleppo was declared the television shows across the Middle East, viewed by Al-Mashraka cafe in central waved Syrian winner of this year’s “Arab Idol” singing contest some 100 million people. Sherif beat Palestinian flags as they watched the live broadcast from Beirut. Aat the grand finale of the grueling four-month Haitham Khalailah and Saudi Majid Al-Madani as he “This gives optimism to the people of Aleppo, and to television competition in Beirut this weekend. The audi- inched his way to the top performing a variety of all Syrians,” said a young woman who gave only her ence at Saturday’s finale broke into applause and songs, including the traditional qudud of his home- first name, Yara. On the rebel-controlled side of cheers, chanting “! Syria!” and “Hazem!” when the town Aleppo. The form of singing is often based on Aleppo, residents said they had never heard of Sherif jury of the pan-Arab song contest announced Hazem popular poetry and among the lyrics sung by Sharif and had no reason to celebrate. Sherif as the winner. The 21-year-old kept clear of poli- was “Aleppo is a fountain of pain that flows in my “Electricity was down so we could not watch TV. tics, avoiding taking sides in the nearly four-year con- country”. Last year’s title went to Mohammed Assaf, a And besides, most people haven’t ever heard of this flict that has divided his country and killed more than young Palestinian from the Israeli-blockaded Gaza show,” said a man calling himself Zein. Sherif’s victory 200,000 people. Strip who went on to become an ambassador for the also fuelled controversy on Twitter, with some users “I would like to thank everyone, every Syrian citizen, UN agency for Palestinian refugees UNRWA. Sherif’s accusing him of backing the government of Syrian who voted for me... I would like to thank the Syrian victory was feted in the government-controlled side of President Bashar Al-Assad and others wondering if he people,” Sherif, who lives in Lebanon, said after his win. Aleppo, his hometown in northern Syria and the coun- is a “rebel”. Syrian state news agency SANA congratu- Handsome in a dark suit and black tie, his hair done up try’s former economic hub, with men firing shots in the lated Hazem as “the son of Aleppo who won thanks in a trendy quiff and sporting a close-shaved beard, air to celebrate and women ululating. to a very special voice”. The winner of the contest, Sherif told reporters: “I am 21; I don’t want to link my “This event proves that we are still alive, we are still modeled on the popular “” franchise that artistic career to politics.” The competition, organized here, even if the rest of the world has forgotten us,” 24- started in Britain, walks away with a cash prize and a by the Saudi MBC network, is one of the most watched year-old resident Ahmed Abu Zeid said. Clients at the record contract. — AFP

Syrian singer Hazem Sharif, 21, from Aleppo in northern Syria, performs after he was named the winner of the popular pan-Arab song contest “Arab Idol”. Chicken pox keeps Jolie from ‘Unbroken’ promotions

A handout picture shows 21-year-old Syrian contest Hazem Sherif kneeling upon being declared the winner of this year’s “Arab Idol” singing contest in Beirut.

File photo shows director Angelina Jolie poses for photographers dur- ing a photo call for her film ‘Unbroken’ in Berlin, Germany. —AP ngelina Jolie is reluctantly call- that she’s “in very good spirits” regard- ing in sick for “Unbroken” pro- less. The actress, appearing pale and Amotional duty. Universal drawn, also explained her plight in a Pictures said Friday that Jolie is suffer- YouTube post. ing from “a mild bout of chicken pox” “I will be home itching and missing that will keep her from making public everyone,” she says in the video. “I can’t appearances in the coming days to believe it, because this film means so support the film, which she directed. much to me... But such is life. There it “Unbroken,” about former Olympian is.” Jolie’s illness comes days after she Louis Zamperini, is set to premiere in was maligned by top Hollywood exec- Los Angeles today. utives in private emails made public by Universal said Jolie’s children and the Sony cyberattack and her film was Syrian singer Hazem Sharif, center, 21, from Aleppo in northern Syria, hugs The Arab Idol finalists, Syrian Hazem Sharif, right, Palestinian Haitham her husband, Brad Pitt, will represent ignored by the Screen Actors Guild and his relatives after he was named the winner of the popular pan-Arab song Khalaily, center, and ’s Majed Al-Madani, stand on the stage her at the premiere. The studio added Golden Globe awards. — AP contest “Arab Idol” . during the last prime of Arab Idol Show.