The Arab British Centre, a cultural landmark of Pan-Arab identity in the UK, in collaboration with ICA and Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF), will showcase an exciting line-up in Safar: A Journey through Popular Arab Cinema, a rich and diverse collection of classic and contemporary Arab cinematic masterpieces, from September 21 to 27.
The weeklong screenings will give UK audiences a glimpse into the culture, people, traditions and heritage of the Middle East and North Africa, in a mesmerizing programme of Arab cinema that includes Arab world notables, master filmmakers, and emerging local talent. The selection features a cinephilic feast of riveting dramas, satirical comedies and whimsical melodramas, including recent releases as well as re-mastered classics, most of which will be hitting British screens for the very first time.
In partnership with the Dubai International Film Festival, Safar Curator Omar Kholeif’s selection includes classic films starring cinematic icons alongside contemporary films including Captain Abu Raed, the Jordanian masterpiece winner of Best Actor at DIFF’s 2007 Muhr Awards, Stray Bullet, winner of Best Film at DIFF’s 2010 Muhr Awards and One-Zero which picked up DIFF’s 2009 Muhr awards for Best Cinematographer and Best Screenplay.
The programme will kick off with ‘The Friday Forum’ on the 21st September, an interactive discussion featuring industry experts, renowned filmmakers and actors including Hussein Fahmy (Watch out for ZouZou), director Philippe Aractingi (Bosta) and renowed Arab cinema academic Dr Viola Shafik. Free to ICA members, and open to the public for only £5, attendees will have the opportunity to engage in a lively debate with the panelists on the various facets of Arab cinema as a medium of cultural expression. For more information, please visit http://www.arabbritishcentre.org.uk/safar/friday-forum
Screenings will also be accompanied by Q&As with stars including Khaled Abu Naga (One-Zero), director Amin Matalqa (Captain Abu Raed), and director Marwan Hamed (The Yacoubian Building).
Opening Film:
Friday 21 September
BOSTA (2006), Lebanon, Director: Philippe Aractingi About the film: After 15 years in exile in France, Kamal returns to Beirut determined to revive his school dance group. Philippe Aractingi's road-musical explores culture clashes and celebrates the enduring values of music, dance and friendship.
Saturday 22 September
STRAY BULLET (2010), Lebanon, Director: George Hachem About the film: Set in Beirut during the summer of 1976, 'Stray Bullet' introduces us to Noha, a thirty something woman, who is about to be married.
Tuesday 25 September
CAPTAIN ABU RAED (2007), Jordan, Director: Amin Matalqa About the film: When an old airport janitor finds a captain's hat in the trash, he gets pulled into the lives of children in his poor neighborhood. He weaves imaginary stories of his world adventures to offer hope in the face of their harsh reality.
Wednesday 26 September
ONE-ZERO (2009), Egypt, Director: Kamla Abu Zekry About the film: A nail-biting final at the 2008 African Nations Cup affects a disparate group of people in a variety of life-changing and profound ways.
About DIFF
The Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) is the leading film festival in the Middle East and Africa. Since its inception in 2004, the festival has served as an influential platform for Arab filmmakers and talent at an international level, by spearheading the cinema movement in the region. The 9th edition of DIFF is set to take place between December 9 – 16, 2012. The Investment Corporation of Dubai is the title sponsor of the Dubai International Film Festival and is held in association with Dubai Studio City. Dubai Duty Free, Emirates Airline and Madinat Jumeirah, home to the Dubai International Film Festival, are the principal sponsors of DIFF. The Festival is supported by the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority and the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Photography Award. For more and updated information about DIFF, visit www.dubaifilmfest.com
About DIFF
The Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) is the leading film festival in the Middle East and Africa. Since its inception in 2004, the festival has served as an influential platform for Arab filmmakers and talent at an international level, by spearheading the cinema movement in the region. The 9th edition of DIFF is set to take place between December 9 – 16, 2012. The Investment Corporation of Dubai is the title sponsor of the Dubai International Film Festival and is held in association with Dubai Studio City. Dubai Duty Free, Emirates Airline and Madinat Jumeirah, home to the Dubai International Film Festival, are the principal sponsors of DIFF. The Festival is supported by the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority and the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Photography Award. For more and updated information about DIFF, visit www.dubaifilmfest.com
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