Do you love alternative, foreign and independent cinema? Are you looking for something great to do in Abu Dhabi this week? Maybe you’re hoping to improve your film education to become a true movie buff?
Either way, you should definitely check out this alternative film festival at Manarat Al Saadiyat. The festival is running until Saturday June 26 and there are 17 films to choose from, each only appearing for one day at various showtimes, so book your tickets now to avoid disappointment.
Wondering what you can expect? Here’s a preview of just a few of the films being shown:
Thursday June 24 features Shut up Sona, a documentary about Indian singer Sona Mohapatra who uses her voice to speak out against Indian music industry practices. This film shows at 7pm. Rated PG15.
On Friday June 25, catch Tokyo Ride, a documentary that wanders through the streets of Tokyo exploring the life of architect Ryue Nishizawa. The film shows at 2pm and is rated PG.
Nasir is another film showing on Friday, and is a Tamil drama directed by Arun Karthick. Watch Nasir’s day unfold as he contemplates the meaning of life and love. There will also be a post-film discussion with Surabhi Sharma, a filmmaker based in Abu Dhabi and Mumbai who teaches at New York University Abu Dhabi. The film starts at 5pm and is rated PG-13.
And completing the triple-header, you can catch the film Ghosts on Friday, too. Directed by Azra Deniz Okyay, this Turkish drama imagines a near future where Turkey suffers a nationwide power outage and four characters mirror the multiple aspects of a disoriented country. The film shows at 9pm and is rated PG13.
Unlocking the Doors of Cinema is an Arabic film showing on Saturday June 26. The film explores the daring artistic contributions of Syrian author Mohammad Malas, and will be followed by a post-screening Q&A with the director, Nezar Andary.
The festival closes on Saturday with The Dream, directed by Mohamad Malas. Shot in 1980, the film is composed of interviews with Palestinian refugees in Lebanon. In the interviews, the director asks them about their dreams at night, which all seem to converge on Palestine. During filming, the director lived in the camps and conducted interviews with more than 400 people. The film is 45 minutes long and rated PG13.
This is definitely an event for the film buffs among us. We’ll be munching on popcorn in the front row.
Dhs20, Manarat Al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Island, tickets.virginmegastore.me/ae/theater
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