We love a good movie night, but sometimes it’s nice to catch a flick that’s a bit different to the usual Hollywood blockbusters.
Celebrating Arabic filmmaking, CinemaNA has returned to Abu Dhabi and next month it is putting on two free screenings at The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi and Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi.
First up, the latter will be showing Mafak (Screwdriver) on Monday November 4.
Directed by Bassam Jarwabi and set in Palestine, the film tells the story of a teenager who witnesses his friend’s death in crossfire just before he is captured by enemy forces.
Finally set free 15 years later and haunted by the memories of his past, the film explores how the young man struggles to adjust to modern Palestinian life.
The film screening will also be followed by a Q&A session with the director. So if you’ve got any questions about the drama you’ve just watched, you have the opportunity to ask him yourself in person.
Then on Monday November 25, the Oscar-nominated documentary Of Fathers and Sons will be screened at The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi.
Directed by Talal Derki, the film closely follows the daily lives of a radical Islamist family over two years.
It won the Grand Jury Prize for the best world documentary at the Sundance Film Festival 2018, and again there’s a chance to ask questions afterwards during a Skype Q&A with the director.
Bill Bragin, executive artistic director of The Arts Center at NYUAD, said: “CinemaNA encapsulates many important aspects of The Arts Center’s mission: collaborating with our academic colleagues on the faculty, collaborating with other educational and cultural institutions in the UAE, and bringing the vibrant arts of the region, in this case Arabic film, to larger audiences.”
Meanwhile Clio Chaveneau, assistant professor of sociology at Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, commented: “The films and documentaries showcased this season all share, besides their impressive cinematographic qualities, an ability to subtly reveal unknown and complex social realities of Middle East societies.
“We are also looking forward to the stimulating discussions between the audience and the filmmaker during the Q&A following each screening.”
Don’t forget the popcorn…
Free. Nov 4 & 25. Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi and The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi, www.sorbonne.ae and www.nyuad-artscenter.org.
WHAT IS IT…
Two film screenings as part of the CinemaNA season for 2019
WHY GO…
To see a pair of modern classics from the Arabic film world for free
