The Doha Film Institute (DFI) Cinema will screen a captivating selection of films by emerging Arab talents as part of ‘A Window on Contemporary Arab Cinema’ showcase to be held from May 10 to 12 at Katara Drama Theatre, Building 16.
The series focuses on emerging talents from the Middle East and includes the Qatar premieres of four ground-breaking feature films, alongside a selection of short films by young artists from across the region.
All films included in the line-up are recipients of the DFI’s Grants Programme, which supports emerging talents, and presents new cinematic voices and powerful stories that resonates across all cultures.
DFI CEO Fatma al-RemaihiI said: “We are delighted to celebrate these very special films that have been nurtured through our Grants programme, underlining the creative talent we have in our region.”
“These young filmmakers reflect the cinematic ambitions of the next generation, and present our stories to global audiences in their unique voices and perspectives,” she noted.
The screenings commence on May 10 at 5.30pm with the short films showcase that includes Maqloubeh (Palestine, France, Qatar/2012) directed by Nicolas Damuni.
Maqloubeh is a dark comedy about five young art students, who decide to prepare a ‘maqloubeh’ for lunch during a curfew, and then unexpected guests arrive.
Selma (Tunisia, Germany, Qatar/2013) by Mohamed Ben Attia is about the eponymous title character, who takes over the vehicle of her taxi-driver husband after his accidental death, to create a better future for her daughter and for herself.
Waves ’98 (Lebanon, Qatar/2015), the winner of Palme d’Or at the Festival de Cannes in 2015, is an animation directed by Ely Dagher, which beautifully imagines the complex relationship of contemporary Beirut residents to their troubled home city.
The Desert Fish (Morocco, France, Belgium, Qatar/2013), directed by Alaa Eddine Aljem, is the story of a father and son, who must separate if they are to meet up again while The Wall (Lebanon, Qatar/2012) by Odette Makhlouf Mouarkech is an endearing short in which the wall, a seemingly impersonal structure, becomes the anchor of a community.
Eyes of a Thief (Palestine, Algeria, France, Iceland, Jordan, Qatar/2014) by Najwa Najjar screens on May 10 at 8pm. Inspired by real events, the feature film is a rare glimpse into Palestinian society from the inside.
Dégradé (Palestine, France, Qatar/2015), directed by Arab Abunasser and Tarzan Abunasser, screens on May 11 at 8pm. Having marked its world premiere at Cannes Film Festival in 2015, the film is set in the Gaza Strip, where a beauty salon is heaving with female clients.
May 12 presents two films: The Dark Wind (Iraq, Germany, Qatar/2016), directed by Hussein Hassan, at 5:30pm. The film narrates the story of a young Yazidi couple, Reko and Pero, who prepare for family life in their village.
Sherif El Bendary’s Ali, the Goat and Ibrahim (Egypt, UAE, France, Qatar/2016) screens at 8pm. The film is about Ali, who loves a goat named Nada, and Ibrahim, a depressed sound engineer. When the two meet, they are drawn into a journey along the shores of Egypt which turns into a voyage of friendship and self-discovery.
Tickets to the screenings are priced QR35. Students and holders of the Culture Pass by QM get a discounted rate of QR25. Movie lovers can also purchase a ticket package for QR75. Tickets can be purchased online at www.dohafilminstitute.com
A scene from Maqloubeh.
