MBC GROUP announces ground-breaking cinematic milestone with “Sukkar”

MBC GROUP, the largest and leading media company in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, announces the extraordinary success of its first-ever Arabic-language musical production.

In a ground-breaking cinematic milestone within the MENA, “Sukkar” – starring the rising Khaleeji talent, Hala Al Turk in one of her biggest roles to date – has amassed over $2 million at the box office so far.

Since its theatrical debut in October 2023, “Sukkar” has enchanted audiences across the Arab world, creating a first-of-its-kind cinematic phenomenon that has never been witnessed before in the region.

Created by Heba Mishari Hamada and directed by Tamer Mahdy, “Sukkar” features a unique blend of original music, captivating storytelling, and family-friendly content that has resonated strongly with viewers, contributing to its remarkable box office performance.

MBC GROUP leads the film’s production, alongside Aroma Productions, which managed cinematic execution under the supervision of MBC STUDIOS.

Christina Wayne, Managing Director at MBC STUDIOS said: “The achievement of surpassing $2 million at the box office marks an impressive breakthrough for the region, particularly within the genre of musicals. ‘Sukkar’ is not only achieving tremendous success, but it is also setting a new standard for cinematic excellence, reaffirming the region’s appetite for diverse, high-quality, and culturally resonant storytelling.

“The ongoing success of ‘Sukkar’ reflects the sustained demand from Arab families who continue to head to theatres to watch the movie. This success will no doubt pave the way for future endeavours in the realm of musical filmmaking, showcasing the potential for original content and narratives that enchant our audiences.”

“Sukkar” follows the journey of Sukkar (played by Al Turk) and her friends who live in an orphanage, waking up every day with hopes of transforming their lives into something more meaningful and colourful. Despite their hopeful outlook, the orphanage’s manager, Ratiba, proves to be exceptionally mean, exacerbating the challenges that the children face in their pursuit of a better life.

Featuring 12 original songs, “Sukkar” draws inspiration from the famous epistolary novel, “Daddy-Long-Legs” by American writer Jean Webster. All original songs for “Sukkar” were penned by Heba Mashari Hamada, with the soundtrack composed by Ehab Abdel Wahed, arranged by Ahmed Tareq Yehya, and produced by Joy Music Production. The renowned Egyptian singer Ahmed Saad has lent his voice to the film.

Starring alongside Al Turk in “Sukkar” is a host of young talent from around the GCC and Middle East, including Yasmina El Abd, Hajar Mohamad, Wedema Ahmad, Maria Gomaa, Moataz Heshaam, Mohamad Al Harbi, Bafly Reymond Isaac, and twins Abdullah and Omar Khaled.

Also starring in the musical in the adult roles are the prominent actors Magda Zaki, Mohamed Tharwat, and Reham Al Shanawany.

The family-friendly film, currently still in cinemas, is distributed by Empire Entertainment.

[Source: MBC press release]