A still from Eyes of a Thief
The Doha Film Institute Cinema (DFI Cinema) will screen a captivating selection of films by emerging Arab talents as part of ‘A Window on Contemporary Arab Cinema’ showcase to be held from May 10 to 12 at Katara Drama Theatre, Building 16.
The series focuses on emerging talents from the Middle East and includes the Qatar premieres of four ground-breaking feature films, alongside a selection of short films by young artistes from across the region. All films included in the line-up are recipients of the Doha Film Institute’s Grants Programme, that supports emerging talents, and presents new cinematic voices and powerful stories.
Fatma Al Remaihi, Chief Executive Officer of the Doha Film Institute, said: “We are delighted to celebrate these very special films that have been nurtured through our Grants programme, underlining the creative talent we have in our region. These young filmmakers reflect the cinematic ambitions of the next generation, and present our stories to global audiences in their unique voices and perspectives. The screenings also highlight the re-invention of Arab cinema and its increased focus on fresh narrative styles and powerful stories.”
The screenings commence on May 10 at 5:30pm, with the host films showcase that includes Maqloubeh (Palestine, France, Qatar/2012), directed by Nicolas Damuni, a dark comedy about five young art students, who decide to prepare a ‘maqloubeh’ for lunch during a curfew, and then unexpected guests arrive ; Selma (Tunisia, Germany, Qatar/2013), by Mohamed Ben Attia is about the eponymous title character, who takes over the vehicle of her taxi-driver husband after his accidental death.
Waves ’98 (Lebanon, Qatar/2015), the winner of Palme d’Or at the Festival de Cannes in 2015, is an animation directed by Ely Dagher, that imagines the relationship of contemporary Beirut residents to their troubled home city. Eyes of a Thief (Palestine, Algeria, France, Iceland, Jordan, Qatar/2014) by Najwa Najjar screens on May 10 at 8pm. The film is a rare glimpse into Palestinian society from the inside.
