Fatih Akin Talks About ‘Rhinegold,’ ‘Marlene’ and Whether the Middle East Can Become a New Film Mecca

German-Turkish director Fatih Akin is attending the Red Sea Film Festival for the screening of “Rhinegold,” about young Iranian-Kurdish immigrant Giwar Hajabi, also known as Xatar, who is one of Germany’s most successful rap stars. The pic was released in Germany on Oct. 27 and has grossed over $10 million, becoming Akin’s biggest hit to date. As in many of Akin’s previous features, “Rhinegold” explores the energy released by the encounter between Middle Eastern and European culture. The pic begins with Xatar’s musician parents escaping from Tehran during the 1979 Iranian revolution and includes scenes in Iraq, prior to the… Read Full Article