Tarek Al Arian Brings a Story Inspired by Marguerite Alibert and the Sons of Rizk to Cannes
Tarek Al Arian Develops Drama on Infamous French Courtesan
Tarek Al Arian, renowned for his work on the Arabic-language series The Ladder and The Snake and the Sons of Rizk franchise, is embarking on a new project focused on the controversial early 20th-century French courtesan, Marguerite Alibert.
Alibert gained considerable attention for her romantic involvement with the Prince of Wales, later known as King Edward VIII, during his time in Paris in 1917. Her notoriety escalated further when she fatally shot her wealthy Egyptian husband, Ali Kamel Fahmy Bey, at London’s Savoy Hotel in 1923.
This forthcoming drama marks a significant shift for Al Arian, as it represents his first venture outside the Middle East. The director and producer, who has successfully launched numerous hit series and films through his Framework for Film Production, aims to explore Alibert’s complex character.
“I like character-driven stories. It’s an intriguing story," Al Arian stated. "At the trial, she claimed that it was self-defense. She was cleared and then inherited his wealth. He was maybe the richest guy in Egypt back then.” Al Arian is currently attending the Cannes Film Festival for the first time in several years.
The plan for the project includes potential filming in France, the UK, and Egypt, likely in English, despite Alibert not speaking Arabic. "Marguerite is a very interesting character while her relationship with her Egyptian husband was toxic," he added.
In addition to this new drama, Al Arian is developing several Arabic-language projects, including Altahwida (Lullaby), a psychological horror about a professor grappling with the death of one of his twin daughters in a tragic accident.
Moreover, Al Arian is in the process of creating a prequel to the Sons of Rizk trilogy, which encompasses Sons of Rizk (2015), Sons of Rizk 2: Return of the Lions of The Land (2019), and the upcoming Sons of Rizk 3: The Verdict (2024). This new installment will delve into the origins of the four brothers from a Cairo crime family at the core of the series.
“The attraction of the Sons of Rizk franchise lies in the relationship between the brothers,” Al Arian explained. “There is also a lot of humor and comedy. The fourth installment will flash back 25 years to examine their criminal beginnings as they execute a clever heist.”
He hopes that the prequel, featuring emerging talents such as Ahmed Malek, will attract a new generation of viewers while appealing to the franchise’s dedicated fanbase.
