Upholding its tradition of making cinema an inclusive experience for all, the institute worked with the Translation and Interpreting Institute of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Hamad Bin Khalifa University to bring a special trans-adapted presentation of the DFI-supported film, '1982' (Lebanon, US, Norway, Qatar/2019) directed by Oualid Mouaness.
People with different abilities will be able to view the film through enhanced sound with audio descriptions of visual elements that are difficult to receive in the traditional film format.
Viewers with hearing or speech comprehension challenges will benefit from enriched subtitles in Arabic and English as well as sign language interpretation.
In '1982', 11-year-old Wissam struggles to pluck up the courage to reveal his true feelings to classmate Joanna. But before he can, and with his school in the midst of their final exams, the air invasions on Beirut begin, and the pupils are to be sent home. The film will be screened free of charge on November 12, 8pm, at Katara Drama Theatre. One has to reserve a ticket for access.
Also set to delight all members of the family are ‘A World of Colour' and ‘Under the Trees' cine-concert. Partnering with Forum des Images, the ‘Under The Trees’ cine-concert is an endearing musical show full of poetry and sweetness, accompanied live by talented musicians Leslie Bourdin and Rémi Foucard. Its Qatar premiere will take audiences on an incredible adventure into the woods, where every tree has a story to tell.
Screening on November 13 at 11am, Katara Drama Theatre, ‘A World of Colour’ includes a curated selection of colourful short films that will delight all. These include 'Little Snowman' (Russia/2021) by Alexey Pochivalov, in which a little snowman keeps losing his carrot nose that his mother replaces every evening.
'Orchestra Rehearsal' (Russia/2020), directed by Tatyana Okruzhnova, is about a busy dad and musician who is late for his philharmonic orchestra concert. 'Kenya’s Symphony' (US/2019) by Carlos Douglas Jr is about Kenya, a young girl, who is reluctantly dragged into a symphony by her mother.
'Colourful Feathers' (Mexico/2021) by Maribel Suárez is about a family of blue chickens that are ostracised from their flock. 'Ink' (Netherlands/2020) by Joost van den Bosch and Erik Verkerk introduces viewers to an octopus that is also a neat freak. 'Under the Clouds' (Russia/2021) by Vasilisa Tikunova features Walter the Lamb, who dreams of one day becoming a cloud.
In 'According to Birds' (Netherlands/2008), director Linde Fas presents the story of a great owl who arrives as the leaves begin to fall. 'Racoon and the Light' (US/2018), directed by Hanna Kim, is about a curious racoon who discovers a mysterious new friend, while 'The Fox Who Followed the Sound' (Iran/2012) by Fatemeh Goudarzi charts a curious little fox who goes to investigate a sound and discovers the music within himself. 'The Last Day of Autumn' (Switzerland, Belgium, France/2019), directed by Marjolaine Perreten, is about forest animals squirreling away parts to build their bikes for a big race.
Tickets for Ajyal 2021 and can be purchased at https://www.dohafilminstitute.com/filmfestival