Sixteen best taken Arab films, from the angles of love and romance to social problems to consequences of political and military hardships, will compete in the 6th Arab Film Festival hosted by the Paris-based Arab World Institute for best picture, best actors and actresses and best production, according to Kuwait News Agency (KUNA).
The 16 films will be represented by eight Arab countries, including Palestine. The so-called mini-Cannes cinema festival is seen as an opportunity to broaden marketing of Arab films in the western world. “The Arab World Institute (IMA) pursues its message in the introduction of Arab cinema in France and in Europe through this festival which has reserved cinema halls in all over France,” IMA said in a statement.
The festival was inaugurated late last night with “A Ticket to Jerusalem,” a Palestinian film by Rasheed Mashharawi. This film, out of the festival contest, tells about the life of a couple living in a refugee camp in Ramallah.
Two other Palestinian films, “The Olives Season" and “Jerusalem in Another Day” will be in the competition of the grand prize. Egypt, home of the largest Arab movie theatre, has presented four films in the competition, while Algeria one, Lebanon three, Morocco two, Mauritania two, Syria two and Tunisia one.
There will also be a seminar on “Palestine and Cinema” during the 10-day festival while the life of Palestine from 1993 until 2003 will be featured high in the festival.
The festival will also award the famous Egyptian actress Suad Hosni who passed away this year for her role in the Arab cinema industry.
According to the festival organizers, more than 100 Arab film producers, actors and journalists will attend the festival. Also, there will be more than 100 Arab films shown during the festival ending on July 7, which, according to the organizers, are expected to be attended by a large crowd French and European film critics – Albawaba.com
