Bahrain to showcase best of GCC films

Manama, August 4, 2012

Film buffs in Bahrain are gearing up for a major event, 'The Gulf Cinema Nights,' which will bring together top Gulf filmmakers and also showcase the best of the regional movies, this week.

The six-day event, organised by the Culture Ministry in co-operation with the Gulf Film Festival (GFF), will kick off on Thursday at Cineco in Bahrain City Centre.

The cinema festival comes as part of Manama being named Capital of Arab Culture for 2012 and will showcase 18 regional movies, which have taken part in the GFF and the Dubai International Film Festival.

The selected productions range from short films to features and documentaries, and will take viewers on a unique journey through real and fictitious events shot through the lens of Gulf filmmakers.

'Film is an important element of contemporary culture, always reflective of trends, beliefs and life patterns,' said Culture Minister Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa in a statement.

'I am very pleased at this partnership with the GFF as the Ministry of Culture's ongoing commitment to multi-disciplinary learning and cultural exchange within the programme of Manama, the Capital of Arab Culture 2012.

'The film nights present some of the best works of regional artists and display raw Arab talent. The broad range of movies will give viewers a sense of pride in the evolution of the regional film industry.'

Several well-known contemporary regional directors will be in Manama during the festival including Maitham Al Musawi, Meqdad Al Kout, Khalid Al Mahmood and Abdullah Al Eyaf, in addition to internationally renowned film personality and actor Hafez Ali Ali.

The opening night will kick off with Bahraini short film Aswaat (Voices) directed by Hussain Al Riffaei. It speaks of an old woman who goes about her daily routine, but, she lives in the past.

Other films by Bahraini filmmakers to be screened include Silah Al Ajyal (The Power of Generations) directed by Mohammed Jassim, which won third prize in the Gulf Competition - Short Films at GFF 2011.

The plot revolves around a man on a beach in the middle of the desert as he watches the world around him develop.

Renowned Bahraini director Bassam Al Thawadi's film Hekaya Bahrainiya (A Bahraini tale) set during the Arab-Israeli war of 1967 will also be screened.

Films from Oman, Kuwait, Saudi, the UAE and Qatar will also hit the big screens during the festival, which focus on different subjects and have won awards at international film festivals.

'The festival's core aim is to develop a thriving film culture within the Gulf, nurture greater opportunities for filmmakers from the region to present their films and secure support for future projects,' said GFF chairman Abdulhamid Juma in a statement.

'GFF is an annual showcase of the best of the region's films and we are proud to share our recent cinematic discoveries with Bahrain.'

On August 9 (The Opening Night), the films being shown are:

Aswaat (Voices): Bahraini film directed by Hussain Al Riffaei

Popcorn: Omani film directed by Maitham Al Musawi

Atsah (Sneeze): Kuwaiti film directed by Meqdad Al Kout

Cab Driver: Qatari film directed by Hafez Ali Ali

Sabeel: directed by Emirati filmmaker Khalid Al Mahmood

Aayesh: directed by Saudi filmmaker Abdullah Al Eyaf

August 10: Reality Night

Sheikh Al Jabal (Mountain Shaikh): directed by Emirati filmmaker Naser Al Yaqoobi

London in headscarf: directed by Emirati filmmaker Mariam Al Sarkal

Foqdan Ahmad (Losing Ahmad): Kuwaiti film directed by Abdullah Boushahri

August 11: Beginning Night

Bas Ya Bahar (Cruel Sea): Kuwaiti film directed by Khaled Al Sidik

August 12: Winners Night

Silah Al Ajyal (The Power of Generations): directed by Bahraini Mohammed Jassim.

Al Qant: Omani film directed by Al Motasim Al Shaqsi

Tenbak: directed by Emirati filmmaker Abdulla Hassan Ahmed

Bint Mariam: directed by Emirati filmmaker Saeed Salmeen Al Murry

Shrouq/Ghroub (Sunrise/Sunset): Saudi film directed by Mohammed Al Dhahri.

Bilad Al Ajaeb: Kissa Waqae'a (Wonderland: A True Story): directed by Kuwaiti filmmaker Dana Al Mojil

August 13: Future Night

Dar Al Hay (City of Life): directed by Emirati filmmaker Ali Mostafa

August 14: Closing Night

Hekaya Bahrainiya (A Bahraini Tale): directed by Bahraini filmmaker Bassam Al Thawadi.

Screening will start at 9pm each night and entrance is free. All films are subtitled in English.-TradeArabia News Service

Tags: Bahrain |