Like many musicians, accomplished Saudi cellist Nasser (Samer Ismail) has aspirations for greatness, though he feels like he’s held back by the old, dilapidated instrument he’s forced to play. When Nasser is offered the chance to take possession of a gorgeous red cello by a mysterious shop owner (Tobin Bell), he finds new inspiration both for his playing and for his composing. What Nasser doesn’t realize is that this cello has a nefarious past. As he prepares for an important audition with a prominent philharmonic, that past shows itself in the form of an ancient conductor (Jeremy Irons) and the suffering and death of those close to him. Nasser must now decide if achieving his dreams is worth the horror that comes with playing such a perfect instrument.
Hammond Entertainment LLC distributes in the US.
Filmed on location in Saudi Arabia and the Czech Republic.
Also known as Cello.
On the status of the film, Bousman was quoted saying: “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!” Adding… “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.” Lastly, he said: “It’s such a cool, unique, strangely beautiful film. I mean, I was able to shoot this thing in Saudi Arabia, Ireland, Prague, and Italy. It was one of the most dynamic projects that I have been a part of.” (2/22/23)
Directed by Darren Lynn Bousman (Saws 2 to 4, Spiral).
Based on the novel by Turki Al Alshikh, who also scripts.
Said to be an English- and Arabic-language horror movie.
Cello had its World Premiere in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia at the Muvi Cinemas on famed Riyadh Boulevard on September 8, 2023.
The Cello arrived in Theaters in the Arab region on September 14, 2023.
Hammond Entertainment LLC released The Cello in Theaters on December 8, 2023.
Director: Darren Lynn Bousman
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