Diana Haddad: The Success of My Saudi Song Has Gone Beyond the Arab Gulf

Lebanese singer Diana Haddad
Lebanese singer Diana Haddad
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Diana Haddad: The Success of My Saudi Song Has Gone Beyond the Arab Gulf

Lebanese singer Diana Haddad
Lebanese singer Diana Haddad

Lebanese singer Diana Haddad said she was delighted to see her new Saudi song “Aasheg Dhamian” top search charts, affirming that “the song’s success has gone beyond the Arab Gulf, to reach the Mashreq and Lebanon.”

“That is because of the Saudi song’s catchy tune, as well as the beautiful idea behind it and its untraditional lyrics, which were written by Kuwaiti poet and journalist Noha Nabil, in addition to the song’s amazing music video,” Haddad said in exclusive remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat.

She added: “My audience in the Kingdom was asking me to come out with a Saudi song, and when I contacted the great Emirati composer Fayez Al Saeed, he told me that he had lyrics written by Noha Nabil for the song. I was immediately impressed when I read them and decided to present the song in the way that everyone has seen. It is not the first time that I top the search charts and social media platforms in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”

She referred to the music concert she held last year, which also trended because of the Saudi audience’s strong engagement with it.

Haddad took part in the concert held this week to celebrate the victory in the 1973 October 6 War, singing two songs in the presence of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi alongside stars from Egypt and other Arab countries.

Haddad spent less than 48 hours in Cairo, recording two Egyptian patriotic songs.



De Niro Says Hollywood Worried about 'Wrath of Trump'

Many people were too worried about the 'wrath of Trump' to speak out against him, said De Niro. Miguel MEDINA / AFP
Many people were too worried about the 'wrath of Trump' to speak out against him, said De Niro. Miguel MEDINA / AFP
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De Niro Says Hollywood Worried about 'Wrath of Trump'

Many people were too worried about the 'wrath of Trump' to speak out against him, said De Niro. Miguel MEDINA / AFP
Many people were too worried about the 'wrath of Trump' to speak out against him, said De Niro. Miguel MEDINA / AFP

Robert De Niro told AFP Wednesday that many in Hollywood share his views on US President Donald Trump -- whom he denounced at the Cannes film festival opening -- but the industry is worried about speaking out against him.

The 81-year-old, one of the most outspoken critics of the American leader, used his Tuesday evening speech to condemn him again, calling him a "philistine".

"They have big businesses, they have to worry about the wrath of Trump, and that's where they have to make a decision: do I succumb to that or do I say no?" he told AFP.

But he cited as an inspiration the example of some US universities and legal firms who have stood up to attempts from Trump's administration to cow them.

"It's important, because other people pick that up, they see that they're fighting, it gives them strength to fight, and they're inspired by that," he added.

"They say it is possible... that's what America is about."

After accepting an honorary Palme d'Or on Tuesday evening for his contribution to cinema, the "Taxi Driver" star called for resistance against Trump's agenda.

As well as calling the president a "philistine", De Niro slammed his desire to implement 100-percent tariffs on films "produced in foreign lands".

"You can't have apathy, you can't have silence," De Niro said on Wednesday.

"People have to speak up and they have to take chances and risk being harassed. You just can't let the bully win, period."

Documentary film

De Niro also revealed Wednesday that he has been working on a new personal film project with New York-based French artist JR, best known for his huge photographic collages.

The film will be an exploration of De Niro's family, particularly his father, a painter, and the actor has opened up his family archives including abundant family videos.

"I don't know where we'll go," he told an audience during an interview with JR in Cannes. "There's no time limit, as far as I'm concerned."

The pair revealed some of the first images of their work, which include huge photos of De Niro's father and a sequence in which De Niro can be seen lying on one of them while travelling on a barge in New York's harbor.

It also features an appearance from Martin Scorsese, who directed De Niro in some of his best-known movies including "Goodfellas" and "Raging Bull".

The film also sees De Niro reflect on his life and twilight years.

Asked if he was afraid of death, he replied: "I don't have a choice, so you might as well not be afraid of it."