Film
Critical Syrian Cinema: Roots of Revolution?
In collaboration with Beeld voor Beeld (The Netherlands), ProAction Film (Syria), and ArteEast (USA), Dancing on the Edge presents a film program on Syrian cinema .
Long before the uprisings in Syria that started this year, critical voices from the art world were already speaking out against the policies of the ruling Baath regime. In this program there will be a focus on critical voices of Syrian cinema that preceded and possibly influenced the revolt in 2011.
Syrian films are often described as Arab cinema’s “best kept secret”, and the program provides an opportunity for audiences to discover a politically timely and relevant overview of it. Ranging from nonfiction films and comedies to political dramas and historical epics, this selection is representative of one of the richest –although lesser-known- world cinema industries.
One of the most compelling feats of Syrian filmmakers has been their ability to craft an unabashedly independent voice despite the fact that their films are produced by the state, a stellar achievement in Arab cinema. The films do not shy away from making poignant and social political critique, far removed from dogma and didactism.
This film program features the most renowned and convincing work of three important Syrian film makers, all of whom have received worldwide critical acclaim. The late master documentary filmmaker Omar Amiralay and documentary and feature film makers Ossama Mohammed en Mohammad Malas closely collaborated on most of their films, both fiction and documentary. Their highly engaged work reflects on issues in Syrian society as well as the wider Arab world.
The film screenings are combined with introductions, after talks and debates with filmmakers and experts on Syrian cinema.
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