Belgian Filmmakers Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah Release Passion Project “Rebel” Depicting Syrian War
After achieving success with “Bad Boys for Life” in Hollywood, directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah have devoted eight years to creating their passion project, “Rebel,” offering an authentic portrayal of the Syrian War. The highly-anticipated film recently premiered in select theaters, captivating audiences with its emotional and thought-provoking narrative.
Belgium natives El Arbi and Fallah, who spent their childhood cherishing moments with friends, faced a tragic reality as their acquaintances began disappearing in their 20s. The Syrian civil war, which started with the Arab Spring protests in 2011 and escalated with the radicalization of young Muslims by ISIS, had a profound impact on the lives of El Arbi and Fallah, as they witnessed the departure of individuals they knew personally.
Speaking to Insider over a Zoom chat, Fallah shared his firsthand experience, stating, “I grew up in Vilvoorde, which had the highest percentage of young Muslims going to Syria… To see them leave was really shocking and painful because they are like us, with the same backgrounds. We felt the need to tell this story from our perspective, through a Muslim lens encompassing all the complexities and nuances of the situation.”
Following their previous directing credits, including “Bad Boys for Life,” two episodes of the Disney+ series “Ms. Marvel,” and an unreleased “Batgirl” movie, El Arbi and Fallah believed they possessed sufficient leverage to bring their long-standing project to life. Thus, “Rebel” was born, chronicling the journey of two Muslim Belgian brothers, Kamal and Nassim, as their lives intertwine with the Syrian war. Kamal, while aiming to assist the war’s victims, finds himself coerced into joining an armed group against his will. In contrast, Nassim, idolizing his older brother, unwittingly becomes involved with ISIS, thinking he is following Kamal’s footsteps.
Drawing upon their Hollywood experience, combined with their deeply-rooted emotions, El Arbi and Fallah crafted an unflinching exploration of the Syrian war’s impact on Muslim lives. Inspired by renowned director Oliver Stone, known for his Vietnam War films such as “Platoon” and “Born on the Fourth of July,” El Arbi and Fallah took a unique approach by incorporating musical interludes and poetry into their narrative. By doing so, they aimed to not only elicit an emotional response but also educate viewers.
El Arbi described their creative decision, noting, “Music felt like an appropriate element since it is deeply ingrained in Muslim and Arabic culture. People tend to forget that ISIS was vehemently opposed to music, instruments, and female voices singing. Therefore, we felt it was necessary to include musical and poetic elements in our film as a direct assault against ISIS. Music and poetry have the power to connect with audiences on a profound level that traditional scenes alone cannot achieve.”
In “Rebel,” viewers can expect a dynamic blend of music, dance, rap, and action. With experience working alongside producer Jerry Bruckheimer on action-packed films like “Pirates of the Caribbean” and “Top Gun,” El Arbi and Fallah infused their film with electrifying scenes. One standout sequence occurs within an apartment building during a fierce battle, featuring characters racing through interconnected rooms amidst explosions.
The directors believe this scene exemplifies their collaborative process, with Fallah stating, “Over the years, the idea evolved into something beautiful… I saw images of holes in the walls connecting every room, and I found it visually striking. Bilall and the Director of Photography then designed shots that showcase different rooms, bringing our ideas together.”
“Rebel” premiered at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival and received critical acclaim upon its release in Belgium last summer. Its current debut in the US marks the culmination of nearly a decade of dedication and passion for El Arbi and Fallah.
Fallah expressed the significance of this moment, sharing, “This is the most personal experience we’ve ever had, surpassing the mere act of making a movie. We felt an immense responsibility in presenting an authentic portrayal of our own heritage as Muslims, showcasing something that hasn’t been explored in cinema before.”
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