- Venue
Rivington Place
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Time
6:30pm - 8pm
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Admission
Free
- Artists
This evening of screenings and discussion reflects on the complexities of the contemporary Emirati experience. Iniva (Institute of International Visual Arts) presents 4 short films by directors from the United Arab Emirates, organised in partnership with the Dubai International Film Festival. The UAE has gone through rapid growth over the last decade, and these films explore the impact on everyday life and local culture. While the films deal with situations such as an arranged marriage or the desire to stay in a country where many are not permitted to settle after retirement, they also paint a wider picture of life across the Gulf. These emerging filmmakers are part of a new generation of Arab voices from the region.
Films include prize winners from the Muhr Emirati Awards, 7TH Dubai International Film Festival 2010 and the 4th Gulf Film Festival 2011.
Film Programme
Sabeel
Director, Khalid Al Mahmood, 2010
Two small boys living with their sick grandmother in the mountains, tend their vegetables and sell the produce on the road in order to earn enough money to buy medicine for their grandmother. This poignant film depicts their lives and the world in which they live.
Sabeel won second prize in the Muhr Emirati awards, 7TH Dubai International Film Festival 2010 and First Prize at the 4th Gulf Film Festival 2011.
Akhir December (End of December)
Director Hamad Al Hammadi, 2011
An old man’s room catches fire. On the last day of December, he decides to undertake a trip with his single daughter.
Akhir December won third prize in the Student Competition, 4th Gulf Film Festival 2011
Mawt Bate’a (Slow Death)
Director Jamal Salim, 2011
A grave digger is forced into retirement after 30 years of service. However, he wishes to stay on in the UAE – even wanting to die in the country – as to him, it is home.
Mawt Bate’a received a special mention at 4th Gulf Film Festival 2011
Malal (Bored)
Director Nayla Al Khaja, 2010
‘Malal’ is about a young Emirati couple who travel to South India for their honeymoon. The wife finds her new arranged marriage repulsive, emotionless and stagnant. On the last day, she bumps into a South Indian man and spends it in his company, turning her honeymoon into an unforgettable chapter, before she returns to her boring life.
Malal won first prize in the Muhr Emirati awards, 7TH Dubai International Film Festival 2010.
Post screening discussion: Kay Dickinson, Lecturer in media at Goldmsiths, will be in conversation with Iniva board member and curator Catherine David after the screenings.
Part of the Shubbak Festival of contemporary Arab culture. Shubbak (Arabic for ‘window’) is the Mayor of London’s first festival of contemporary Arab culture, with over seventy events in more than 30 venues throughout the city from 4 – 24 July 2011. The festival offers a wide-ranging programme of visual arts, film, music, theatre, dance, literature, architecture, lectures and discussion.
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