“The Prophet” heads to Cannes

The long awaited 3D animated movie “The Prophet”, based on Gebran Khalil Gebran’s book, will be partially screened for the first time during this year’s Cannes Festival on Saturday, May 17. The movie, produced by Salma Hayek and directed by Roger Allers (who was behind “The Lion King”) gathers a group of internationally acclaimed artists: the music was composed by Oscar winning Gabriel Yared, and voice casts include actors such as Liam Neeson, John Krasinski, Frank Langella and Alfred Molina.

“The Prophet”, first published in 1923, is one of the best-selling books of all times, having sold over 100 million copies. Gebran’s work has been translated into more than 40 languages, and he is one of the world’s most well known poets.

“The Prophet” had a $12 million budget, which FFA Private Bank co-financed by providing $4 million from different investors it represents. “FFA Private Bank’s Investment Banking division structured and proposed this investment to the bank’s clients as a way to diversify in an alternative asset class with high potential returns,” says Julien Khabbaz, head of investment banking at FFA.

The movie is not FFA Private Bank’s first venture into movie industry. It previously co-financed the French biographical drama film “Cloclo” in 2012, and the Hollywood action movie “Two Guns” in 2013 starring Denzel Washington.

Khabbaz is proud of the film’s initial success: “Being included in Cannes, the most prestigious film festival in the world, is a testament of this movie’s true potential and meaning; and it will be great for Lebanon to be represented in this way.”

Correction: A previous version of this article mistakenly claimed that the film would premiere at Cannes. Instead, parts of it will be screened for the first time.