Mohammed Assaf was in Toronto to attend the premier of " The Idol," Hany Abu Assad's biopic on the Palestinian singer's meteoric rise to fame.
Although Assaf didn't personally star in the Palestinian director's film, he showed up in full support.
"The main theme of the film is success, how one can achieve it when you are surrounded by obstacles – which in my case remains the occupation and wars – and how despite all of these things, you can still make something out of yourself if you strive hard and have the support of family and friends, who provide you with hope," Assaf told The National.
"The film affected me deeply when I watched it – it made me laugh, I also cried and I connected with all of the characters in it."