The programme for Arabian Film Days 2014 is now published in English
Arabian Film Days 2014 will be held 4th – 6th April at Cinema Victoria, and the programme has now been published. We take the pulse of the Arab world, and at the same time we show you aspects of everyday life in the Middle East and North Africa that are not shown on CNN or Al-Jazeera. Our programme ranges from an Academy Award nominated thriller to comedies, a music documentary, depictions of revolution and political documentaries. The programme is now available in English on our website.
This year’s programme for Arabian Film Days is now available on our website. As always, we have picked out a wide range of movies for you, divided into three main thematic focuses.
First, we take a look at the Israeli-Palestinian conflict from different angles. Our main guest this year is Palestinian director Hany-Abu-Assad and we are screening his dark thriller Omar as the opening film of the festival. Other films about the Israel-Palestine conflict include the Israeli-Lebanese roadmovie Zaytoun, the documentary Thank God It’s Friday from a Palestinian village and the neighbouring Israeli settlement in the West Bank, and Peace After Marriage, a hilarious comedy from Palestinian-born, New York-based director and stand-up comedian Ghazi Albuliwi.
Secondly, we are interested in how culture is used as a political tool. Two examples are Electro Chaabi, about how Egyptian hip-hop from the slums of Cairo has become the soundtrack of the revolution, and Kismet, a documentary that shows how Turkish soap operas have revolutionised women’s struggle for liberty all over the Middle East.
The third focus for the festival, is called back to everyday life. In this programme, you will find Rooftops, a beautiful drama that shows five small societies in Algeria, structured by the five prayer times of Islam. You will also find The Mulberry House, a rare portrayal of a Yemeni family through the recent years of revolution, and Rock the Casbah, a francophone comedy from Morocco.
Other films that we have picked out for you include The Square, an Egyptian documentary that follows activists at Tahrir Square, Rags and Tatters, a poetic movie from the outskirts of society in the revolution era, My Sweet Pepper Land, a western movie from Kurdistan, Days of Glory, a film about North African soldiers who fought for France under the Second World War, Return to Homs, a documentary from the war in Syria and, last but not least, Cairo Drive, a documentary about the absurdity of the Cairo traffic.
All these films will be screened at Arabian Film Days. Tickets can be purchased at Oslo Kino's website.
We are looking forward to see you at Cinema Victoria on 4th – 6th April! Welcome to Arabian Film Days.