Ahmed Ezz recounts the behind-the-scenes filming of the action movie "7Dogs"
Egyptian artist Ahmed Ezz revealed the behind-the-scenes preparation and production of the highly anticipated action film "7Dogs", explaining that the work was prepared and planned over long months of moving between the British capital London and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with the aim of formulating a unique cinematic experience that is in line with international standards in the fields of movement and artistic organization and mass production.
Ezz pointed out that the basic vision of the work focused from the beginning on proving the ability of Arab cinema and its makers to present action films comparable to international cinema when it is well prepared, praising the high level of organization provided by the production entity led by Counselor Turki Al-Sheikh and "Sila" studios, which contributed to overcoming obstacles and facilitating the filming process despite its extreme difficulty.
Hollywood rehearsals and fire accidents at the location
The Egyptian star underwent an intensive and rigorous training program to raise fitness and master action moves, as he spent a full month in London followed by another month in Saudi Arabia, under the direct supervision of an international team that previously participated in the design of the battles of the famous film series "John Wick", describing the experience as a qualitative leap towards the "next level" in his career.
Ezz spoke about the challenges of the environment and the difficult atmosphere of the daily filming sequences that were going "in the hair" due to their danger, revealing that he was exposed to a dangerous and sudden situation after his hand caught fire as a result of the reaction of the gas used in the weapon with the surrounding air, stressing at the same time that the injury was minor and did not prevent him from completing the filming of the scene immediately.
Innovative shots and funny behind-the-camera situations
The artist reviewed the details of one of the most prominent moving scenes that brought him together with the star Karim Abdel Aziz, explaining that the director relied on an innovative idea using the handcam technology, where the two stars exchanged handing over the camera to each other continuously throughout the movement of the scene to give high realism and dynamism to the screen.
The Syrian star recounted the jokes of filming during the holy month of Ramadan, pointing out that he misjudged the distances and timing of movement while filming a scene while fasting, and instead of directing his blow to the sandbag intended to simulate the face of the character opposite him, he dealt a direct blow to the camera lens itself as a result of the poor concentration associated with fasting.
Global Collaboration and Aspirations for Extended Parts
Ahmed Ezz praised his joint cinematic experience with international stars Martin Lawrence and Monica Bellucci, stressing that working alongside them has added a lot to him on the professional and human level, explaining that the term "star" is clearly reflected in the levels of commitment and strict discipline that they have felt throughout their time on set.
At the end of his speech, the Egyptian star expressed his wishes and desire to present successive parts (second, third and fourth) of the film, pointing out that the script and the proposed ending of the events carry with them wide and extendable dramatic spaces, and allow the construction of a sustainable suspense film series.
The Rise of Cinema Joint Investments
"7Dogs" marks the latest in a series of massive investments led by Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority (GEA) in collaboration with international and Arab studios such as Sila, to reshape the Middle East's cinema market. This strategy relies on combining Hollywood expertise (such as the makers of John Wick) with the Arab box office of front-line stars such as Ahmed Ezz and Karim Abdulaziz, to produce content that is competitive on international platforms.
Arab audiences are eagerly awaiting any work that brings together the two poles, Ahmed Ezz and Karim Abdel Aziz, after the resounding successes they achieved together in previous epic and historical works (such as Kira and the Jinn). Their meeting in a contemporary and technically complex action film such as "7Dogs" represents a production bet that will ensure the largest segment of Arab cinema tickets, and establishes the extended "chain cinema" style that Ezz touched on in his future aspirations for the work.