There has been an endless stream of motion pictures from all over the region that has contributed to Arab cinema’s esteemed reputation. Whether it is directors like the enigmatic Youssef Chahine, Lebanese director, actress, and activist Nadine Labaki, irreplaceable screen icons like Egyptian actor Omar Sharif, modern talents like Ahmed Malek, a dynamic Egyptian, or a Tunisian actress– Arab cinema is a gift that keeps on giving.
The SAFAR Film Festival is here to highlight just that sentiment as the largest festival in the UK dedicated to the cinema from our side of the world and the first film festival to promote cinema, old and new, from the region. For its 11th edition this year, the event is running from June 29 to July 9, with screenings in London, Birmingham, Cardiff, Glasgow, Hull, Liverpool, Manchester, Oxford, and Plymouth under the theme A Journey Through Space And Time.
The 17-day-long event will feature over 30 screenings across the UK, including 10 UK premieres, a first-ever SAFAR family screening, new releases and classic films, plus live events with 15 filmmakers and industry practitioners. Additionally, its 2023 edition is in partnership with Shubbak Festival, the UK’s largest festival of contemporary Arab cultures.
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“We are thrilled to see how SAFAR has grown over the years, becoming the largest showcase of Arab cinema in the UK. It’s been exciting to witness the increasing interest and enthusiasm from audiences for Arab cinema, and we are proud to continue to provide a unique space for exploration and celebration of this vibrant and diverse film culture,” said Amani Hassan, Acting Executive Director, the Arab British Centre, in a press statement.
“It has been a joy to collate a diverse range of films that explore the rich and varied landscape of Arab cinema. This year’s programme is particularly special as we’ve been delighted to discover films with unique and seldom-seen locations, as well as revisiting past narratives through fresh perspectives, using archive, oral history, and pop culture. We’re excited to transport our audiences through time and space to experience the vibrant cultural tapestry of Arab cinema,” added Rabih El-Khoury, SAFAR Film Festival Curator.
Below is a list of some movies being screened at the festival to keep your eyes peeled for.
‘Heroic Bodies’
In the Sudanese film directed by Sara Suliman, the story of the Sudanese women’s movement is told through body politics. During the British colonial period and post-independence eras, the filmmaker explores the way in which the human body became a common symbol for both repression and resistance to the state, patriarchy, and colonialism. Through interviews with prominent activists, artists, and academics, as well as rare archive footage, this documentary explores the creative practices that contributed to Sudanese women’s emancipation.
‘The Blue Caftan’
In her second feature, Moroccan filmmaker Maryam Touzani tells the story of Halim and Mina who run a caftan store in one of Morocco’s oldest medinas. The store hires Youssef to keep up with customers’ demanding demands. As the apprentice learns embroidery and tailoring from Halim, she slowly realizes how much her husband is moved by his presence.
The Blue Caftan won the International Critics’ Prize at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival, the top prize for International Feature at New York’s Newfest, and was shortlisted for Best International Feature Film at the 2023 Academy Awards.
‘The Damned Don’t Cry’
The feature is from BAFTA nominated UK-based director Fyzal Boulifa (following his debut Lynn + Lucy, 2019). Fatima-Zahra and her teenage son Selim move from place to place, forever trying to escape the latest scandal she’s caught up in, in this motion picture. Fatima-Zahra vows to start over when Selim learns the truth about their past. A new opportunity in Tangier, Morocco promises the legitimacy they each crave, but only at the expense of a volatile mother-son relationship.
‘Dounia and the Princess of Aleppo’
Co-directed by Aleppo-born Marya Zarif and André Kadi, this animated feature tells of the six-year-old titular character as she leaves Syria with her grandparents when war breaks out.
‘The Last Queen’
SAFAR will launch on June 29 with the lavish, historical drama and UK premiere of The Last Queen. In 1516, Algiers was freed from the Spanish tyranny by the pirate Aruj Barbarossa. Between history and legend, the legendary Princess Zaphira’s journey traces her struggles and the personal and political turmoil she endured for the sake of Algiers. Following the screening at Ciné Lumiere there will be a Q&A with the lead actor and co-director Adila Bendimerad, who was nominated for a Director’s Award at Venice last year.
If you are interested in attending the anticipated film festival, visit the SAFAR website for tickets and more information on the dynamic festival.
