The Idol Movie

The outstanding and inspiring movie "The Idol” is based on the true story of Mohammed Assaf, the Palestinian singer who sneaked across borders, produced forged documents and generally defied the odds to win the second season of TV’s “Arab Idol.” The victory turned him not only into a singing sensation but also a symbol of hope for millions worldwide—whether he was ready for that kind of adulation or not.

It’s all inspiring stuff, to be sure—and often so dramatic that it’s hard to imagine it really could have happened, even though it did.