Watched Netflix’s first Arabic-language movie and the plot sounded familiar? Maybe you’ve already seen another version of this story adapted from an Italian comedy that got a record number of remakes.
Released in Italy in 2016, Perfetti sconosciuti met with great success both commercially and critically in its country. This comedy about a dinner between friends where many secrets are revealed when they decide to share the content of their text messages, emails and phone calls won the David di Donatello prize for Best Film (the equivalent of our Césars) and won grossed over 17 million euros in Italy.
A major success that quickly gave ideas to producers around the world who all wanted their version of the film. So much so that in July 2019, three years after its release, Paolo Genovese’s feature film entered the Guinness Book of Records as the film with the most remakes in the history of the 7th Art, as reports the site of La Repubblica.
Among its 18 (!) adaptations, we notably find Le Jeu by Fred Cavayé in France or Perfectos desconocidos by Álex de la Iglesia in Spain. And it’s far from over… Since then, Perfetti sconosciuti has already been entitled to two additional remakes: a Czech and Slovak co-production and another between Lebanon, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt, available since January 20 on Netflix.
Titled in France We know each other … or not, this 20th remake is the first original feature film in Arabic on the platform, and it has also sparked controversy in the Middle East because of a homosexual character. This did not prevent it from being a big success in terms of viewing.
And concerning Perfetti sconosciuti, you will not be surprised to learn that other adaptations are in progress, including one in Norway and one in the United States. with Insecure’s Issa Rae headlining.
The trailer for the Italian film:
