For years, thanks to substantial institutional support, with the help of strong financial structures, Arab-Berber cinema has been on an upward trend, both quantitatively and qualitatively. International meetings like the Red Sea IFF, the third edition taking place in Jeddah from November 30 to December 9, 2023, are great opportunities to show the reality to the growing public of film buffs and to professionals, (cultural) journalists and critics from the whole world.
Like the first two editions, the Red Sea International Film Festival (Red Sea IFF) returns this year in 2023, with an Arab program section as rich as it is varied by established and other emerging filmmakers. It's a mix of both fiction films and documentaries, including some produced by the Red Sea Film Foundation. Made in the MENA region, there are 36 feature and short films from Saudi Arabia.
There are all ranging from the historical romance directed by Maïwenn (Jeanne du Barry, starring Johnny Depp, World Premiered at the last Cannes Film Festival) to Four girls by Tunisian filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania (representing her country at the Oscars).
Other 11 films will be presented by L'Arab Spectacular during this festival, with subjects and genres of remarkable diversity. Among these, we can note, among others, Back to Alexandria by Tamer Ruggli, telling the story of an unmarried mother overcoming the anxiety of estrangement, or even HWJN, marking the cinematographic debut by the music video director Yaisir Alyasiri, with Baraa Alem and Nour Alkhadra behind the camera; without forgetting the "humorous thriller", as presented, NAGA, telling the story of a teenage girl stranded in a desert and driven by the requirement to respect the curfew.
To talk about the main points of this meeting of the seventh art, the official competition will bring together 17 narrative and documentary films, coming from Asia, Africa and the Arab world, films described as "innovative" and "great storytelling", by the organizers.
The distinctions which will sanction this edition will be awarded by a Jury chaired by the renowned filmmaker Baz Lurhmann. And as a World premiere, we can note the arrival of Norah by director Tawfik Alzaidi, a film shot entirely in the AIUIa region, Saudi Arabia. As well as Blackstage by the duo Alef Ben Mahmoud and Khalil Benkirane. While Farah Nabilsi will present her critically acclaimed first opus, The Teacher, filmed in the West Bank, starring Imogen Poots.
For the Director of International Programs, Kaleem Aftab, this competition brings to light "the complexities of the modern world", in a context of change in "societal norms", challenge "for families, patriarchy and peaceful coexistence". To express his feeling, these different films of various geographical origins "brutally remind us of the many" issues of today's world.
"We believe it is particularly timely to use cinema to examine what connects us and to give a platform to the voices and experiences of people from our region and beyond to foster understanding and compassion," argue with one voice Mr. Mohammed Al-Turki, the CEO of the Red Sea Film Foundation, and Shivani Pandya Malhotra, the Managing Director of the Red Sea IFF.
As Director of Arab Programs and Film Classics, Mr. Antoine Khalife underlines the "dynamism of Arab cinema", in particular that of Saudi Arabia, testifying to the vigor of a "flourishing film industry" in the MENA region. "Arab filmmakers boldly confront sensitive themes, weaving together narratives that explore family dynamics, patriotism and the rediscovery of values," he says. Marrying, consequently, the realities of daily life. In this program, 31 projects by filmmakers will be presented, demonstrating a commitment to women in cinema.
Festival-goers will be able to discover, in the "Special Screenings" section, certain films such as To My Son (world premiere) by Dhafer Labidine (Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates); Jeanne du Barry, by Maïwenn (France, Saudi Arabia); Four girls (Les Filles d'Olfa) by Kaouther Ben Hania (France, Saudi Arabia, Germany, Tunisia); Fever Dream by Faris Godus, world premiere (Saudi Arabia); HWJN by Yassir Alyasiri, also world premiere (Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates); Return to Alexandria by Tamer Ruggli (France, Switzerland, Egypt), etc.
Bassirou NIANG
