The Cello is a 2023 Saudi Arabian horror film directed by Darren Lynn Bousman and written by Turki Al Alshikh. It is based on Alshikh's novel of the same title and stars Jeremy Irons, Samer Ismail, Elham Ali, Souad Abdullah, Tobin Bell and Muhannad Al Hamdi. The story revolves around an aspiring cellist who acquires an insidious cello that begins to wreak havoc around him.
| The Cello | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Darren Lynn Bousman |
| Written by | Turki Al Alshikh |
| Based on | Cello by Turki Al Alshikh |
| Produced by | Lee Nelson |
| Starring |
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| Cinematography | Maxime Alexandre |
| Edited by |
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| Music by | Joseph Bishara |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by | Rozam Media |
Release dates |
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| Country | Saudi Arabia |
| Languages |
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| Box office | $5,314[1] |
Production for The Cello took place in late 2021. It premiered in Boulevard Riyadh City on September 8, 2023, and was released in the United Arab Emirates on September 14, 2023.
Cast edit
- Jeremy Irons as Francesco
- Tobin Bell as Vincent
- Samer Ismail as Nasser
- Elham Ali as Alia
- Mila Al Zahrani as Sarah
- Souad Abdullah as Haya Latif
- Muhannad Al Hamdi as Omar
- Baraa Alem as Hamza
- Ghassan Massoud as Saleh Latif
- Chloé Henry as Maria
Production edit
The Cello is based on Turki Al Alshikh's novel of the same name, who also wrote the script. Darren Lynn Bousman was hired to direct with Lee Nelson producing. Principal photography completed in October 2021 after more than 100 days of filming in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Vienna, Prague, and Iceland.[2][3][4]
In February 2023, as the film entered post-production, Bousman told horror news website Bloody Disgusting, "This movie has been a beast. We finally finished it a few weeks back and are currently in the middle of a deal for its release. So, hopefully, an announcement soon! Since the movie was shot primarily in Arabic, mixing it, doing the ADR, and then having to translate it has taken longer than we were expecting. Our hope is the movie will be released later this year".[5]
Release edit
The Cello had its world premiere in Boulevard Riyadh City on September 8, 2023.[6] It was released in the United Arab Emirates on September 14, 2023, where it grossed $5,314.[1] The film was released onto 288 theater screens in the United States by Destiny Media Entertainment on December 8, 2023.[7][8]
References edit
- ^ a b "The Cello". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved November 3, 2023.
- ^ Pirodsky, Jason (October 25, 2021). "Saw director Darren Lynn Bousman wraps shoot of "secret" film in Prague". The Prague Reporter. Archived from the original on October 29, 2021. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
- ^ Wiseman, Andreas (November 1, 2021). "Jeremy Irons & Tobin Bell Lead Cast In Darren Lynn Bousman Horror Cello; Pic Among Growing Number Of Productions To Film In Saudi Arabia". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 20, 2022. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
- ^ Wiseman, Andreas (November 9, 2021). "Cello: First Look At Jeremy Irons & Tobin Bell In Darren Lynn Bousman Horror Film Shot In Saudi Arabia". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 20, 2022. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
- ^ Miska, Brad (February 22, 2023). "Darren Bousman Shares New Look at Horror Movie Cello and Details "Attic Acquisitions" Project". Bloody Disgusting. Archived from the original on February 22, 2023. Retrieved February 22, 2023.
- ^ Alkhunazizi, Sulafa (September 11, 2023). "Saudi horror film The Cello premieres in Riyadh". Arab News. Archived from the original on September 13, 2023. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
- ^ Vivarelli, Nick (September 14, 2023). "Saw Director Darren Lynn Bousman's Saudi Horror Film The Cello, Starring Jeremy Irons, Bows in Riyadh". Variety. Archived from the original on September 14, 2023. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
- ^ Goldsmith, Jill (December 8, 2023). "Emma Stone Reanimated In Poor Things, Wim Wenders 3D Homage To Anselm Kiefer & Waitress: The Musical – Specialty Preview". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
