A glimpse into my past...
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After hearing that some people get paid $5000 for posting a picture on Instagram, broke and out of work director, Asri Bendacha sets out on a journey to become a social media influencer and get as many followers as he can on Instagram. Little does he know that the path to fame and fortune on social media is not what it seems.
84 min | English | Followasri Director: Asri Bendacha
THE TRAILER
THE DOCUMENTARY
The pursuit of greatness (2022)
In 2018, hip hop officially became the most popular musical genre in the United States. But what is it about hip hop that draws people young and old to hip hop music, culture and lifestyle? And what does it take to make it in the hop hop industry today?
French Filmmaker Asri Bendacha and American aspiring rapper Jon Rise embark on the road trip of a lifetime, from LA to Houston, Atlanta to Miami, sharing one car but on parallel journeys. While Jon Rise is struggling to make it in the music industry, Asri Bendacha explores the evolution of hip hop in the digital era.
Follow this unique duo in their pursuit of greatness.
70 min | English | Followasri Director: Asri Bendacha
THE TRAILER
THE DOCUMENTARY
ARTIST MANAGEMENT
In 2014, I had the privilege of co-producing the Middle East's pioneering hip-hop band, UAT, in collaboration with Universal Music Dubai. As the person responsible for management, production, artistic direction, and artist development, our team accomplished remarkable feats.
Under my guidance, we not only forged strategic partnerships with prominent brands but also achieved chart-topping success. UAT's first two albums secured the top position in Saudi Arabia and the second spot in the UAE. Furthermore, their music videos amassed millions of views on YouTube channels, with over 50,000 subscribers in less than a year. Both artists also garnered substantial social media followings, with hundreds of thousands of dedicated fans.
PROJECT MANAGER
In my capacity as the manager of Saudi Rapper Tarek, I successfully orchestrated high-profile brand collaborations with some of the world's leading companies. Among these, the Coca Cola campaign emerged as one of the most notable and fruitful partnerships.
Taking on the role of overseeing Tarek's studio recording sessions and ensuring his artistic brilliance shone during video shoots, Tarek undeniably stood out. His presence and talent were particularly striking, even among renowned UAE singer Balkees and Egyptian superstar Rami Sabri.
Tarek's escalating fame and substantial following drew the attention of a renowned sports brand, leading to Tarek's appointment as their brand ambassador.
This partnership extended to encompass multiple print and digital campaigns during a two-year contractual engagement with Reebok Middle East.
TV Producer
In 2012, as part of the Dubai International Music Awards, I initiated and oversaw the creation of a TV show in collaboration with FOX named "ROAD TO DIMA."
This year-long weekly program had a distinctive format where we featured international artists in five-minute segments, offering audiences a preview and an opportunity to cast their votes for their preferred artist to perform at the award ceremony.
In my capacity as the show's producer, I took charge of all aspects of production, from scriptwriting to editing, voice-over recording sessions, and audio mixing. This comprehensive approach allowed me to deliver a series of over 20 episodes, each showcasing some of the most influential artists from around the globe.