It has been announced that the third annual Dublin Arabic Film Festival (DAFF) will open on November 11, at the Irish Film Institute (IFI) in Dublin’s Temple Bar.
The festival, developed in partnership with the IFI, is presented by Dubai Duty Free and will include seven films, the bulk of which will be shown from November 11 to November 13. Films showing throughout the festival include opening film Clash, After Spring, Hedi, Sand Storm, and As I Open My Eyes.
Festival president and Oscar-nominated film-maker Jim Sheridan commented: “We are delighted to be working once again with our presenting sponsor, Dubai Duty Free and partner venue the Irish Film Institute in order to bring the Dublin Arabic Film Festival (DAFF) to Dublin once again. DAFF allows Irish audiences a wonderful opportunity to experience a flavour of Arabic life and culture through the medium of film. Last year’s festival boasted sell out screenings at the IFI and we hope that DAFF goes some way to meeting the clear demand that exists for the cinema of the Arabic world”.
This year's festival opens with Mohamed Diab's Clash, the opening film at this year's Un Certain Regard strand at the Cannes Film Festival, which also screened at the recent BFI London Film Fest.
Set in Egypt in 2013 amid the toppling of President Morsi and the ensuing political instability, a group of rioters are rounded up and bundled into the back of a police van. All the film’s scenes take place here where warring parties of all factions have been thrown together.
Diab brings real cinematic flair to the claustrophobic scenario and skilfully portrays multiple characters and their motivations in a lucid and empathetic manner.
Commenting on some of this year’s other highlights, Sheridan added: “As this year’s programme of films came into focus, certain commonalities and themes began to assert themselves particularly, the conflict between traditional and modern values in Arabic countries, as evidenced in both Hedi and As I Open my Eyes. I know audiences will be moved, inspired and entertained in what is most certainly one of our most thought provoking DAFF programmes to date”.
For more details and tickets visit www.dublinarabicfilmfestival.ie
cnewbould@thenational.ae
